Bluebird Propane Buses

• The Blue Bird Propane-Powered Vision® is a conventional Type C school bus that operates on propane gas instead of diesel. It is designed and engineered to the same exacting standards as other Blue Bird buses.
• It is a fully integrated and purpose-built OEM bus, designed and engineered using CleanFUEL USA’s Liquid Propane Injection System (LPI™).
• The Blue Bird Propane-Powered Vision® meets EPA, CARB and all applicable School Bus Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards as well as Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
• The infrastructure is in place to provide easy access to refueling stations. There are more than 70,000 miles of interstate pipelines and more than 2,500 public and 10,000 private refueling locations throughout the United States. In Canada, there are approximately 2,500 outlets for dispensing propane. 
• In the United States, customers are eligible to receive a $0.50 tax credit on every gallon of propane gas purchased when pumping their own fuel. Additional tax incentives/ grants are available for purchasing propane vehicles and fuel. 
• Propane is a nontoxic, colorless, and odorless gas produced from natural gas processing and crude oil refining. Propane emits fewer lifecycle greenhouse gases than gasoline or diesel fuel engines. 
• Propane is a compact liquid that is highly portable and can be used wherever clean-burning fuel is needed.

Propane Infrastructure and Refueling Plan
Blue Bird’s Propane-Powered Vision® will help school districts dramatically reduce fuel expenses while simultaneously reducing toxic idling emissions. However, many school systems are unfamiliar with propane gas. To facilitate an effortless purchasing experience, Blue Bird Corporation will team with propane marketers throughout the country, to offer Blue Bird dealers and customers a seamless and cost-effective plan for purchasing fuel and refueling equipment.

Working with propane fuel providers, the propane marketers may be able to build the cost of the fuel dispensing equipment and propane storage tanks (skid system) into a fuel contract. This may eliminate a major capital expense for the school districts. The infrastructure program allows schools to trade-up equipment as their propane fleets grow. As more dispensers and larger storage tanks are needed, adjustments will be made to accommodate the customer.

The initial skid configuration will be based on the propane fleet size. Fuel contracts of three to five years are the best guarantee of low fuel prices. This makes it possible for the fuel provider to include a refueling infrastructure at a low cost.

Service and maintenance on the equipment will be provided by the propane fuel supplier. Recognizing that safety is first, the propane fuel supplier will be responsible for training and certifying the proper dispensing of propane motor fuel.

One specific infrastructure solution is for Blue Bird dealers and their customers to work with CleanFUEL USA and its established relationships with propane fuel providers across the United States.