Blue Bird To Begin Producing Updated Propane, Gasoline Buses
The advanced fuel system technology is developed by ROUSH CleanTech, the same manufacturer of more than 30,000 propane and gasoline fuel systems for Blue Bird buses equipped with Ford’s 6.8L engine. The 2022 model with the propane and gasoline 7.3L engine has a best-in-class combination of horsepower and torque; the compact and lighter-weight 7.3L engine should achieve improved fuel economy over the 6.8L engine.
Ford’s new 350-hp 7.3L engine is narrower than the previous 6.8L, allowing more space for service work. Innovations for the fuel system, known as Gen 5, include stronger and lighter forged fuel rails and unique routing that keeps the engine-fuel distribution well organized. The system benefits from all of Ford’s performance and quality characteristics, such as horsepower, torque, and towing, while maintaining the OEM factory warranty.
“The exclusive partnership between Blue Bird, ROUSH CleanTech, and Ford continues to flourish as we launch Ford’s new engine with cutting-edge fuel systems in our Vision and Micro Bird school buses,” said Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corp. “We’ve already heard excitement from our customers about this compact, more powerful, and easier-to-maintain engine with better fuel economy.”
“Backed by 45 years of Roush engineering, the Gen 5 is the next advancement in powertrain technology, delivering lots of power in a smaller package,” said Todd Mouw, president of ROUSH CleanTech. “Our advanced fuel system integrates seamlessly with the new Ford engine to give school bus customers the most cost-effective product on the market.”
ROUSH CleanTech’s Gen 5 propane engine is certified to California Air Resources Board’s optional low nitrogen oxide emissions standard of 0.05 g/bhp-hr. The Gen 5 system reduces nitrogen oxides and greenhouse gas emissions, helping to optimize fuel efficiency, and can operate on renewable propane, which further reduces emissions and carbon levels. The engine is designed to meet current and future emissions requirements.
In addition to the all-new engine, the new propane and gasoline Vision incorporates newly engineered routing of the wiring and fuel lines, centered between the frame rails for improved quality, simplicity of maintenance, and product longevity. A newly designed grille also brings a fresh face to a familiar brand.
Orders are now being taken for Blue Bird’s Vision school buses with Gen 5 fuel systems.
Source: The Weekly Propane Newsletter, January 21, 2021. Weekly Propane Newsletter subscribers receive all the latest posted and spot prices from major terminals and refineries around the U.S. delivered to inboxes every week. Receive a center spread of posted prices with hundreds of postings updated each week, along with market analysis, insightful commentary, and much more not found elsewhere.
OUR DIGITAL PARTNERS