“Gasoline is back in the market,” exclaimed Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corporation from the STN EXPO Trade Show on July 28, as he announced an option that was last offered from the factory 25 years ago to reduce service and up-front purchase costs for school bus operators.
Blue Bird is partnering once again with ROUSH CleanTech and Ford, this time to offer a 6.8-liter V10 gas engine, the same that powers the F-650, on the latest Type C Vision that Horlock called the low-price leader of its category. The bus also offers 360 hp and 460 feet of torque, and the engine is also the same that powers the second-generation Vision Propane that the three companies launched four years ago.
Gasoline left the industry as an option amid several concerns, namely that gasoline engines then were not as durable as diesel engines and that gasoline is more explosive than diesel, though the latter ultimately burns hotter. David Bercik, director of product marketing, told STN that the Ford 6.8-liter V10 is the same engine in the Propane Vision with different materials in the valve seats “to achieve maximum lifetime efficiency,” depending on the fuel used.
Bercik also added that Blue Bird designed the fuel tanks and fuel lines to be inside of the rails of the chassis and rearward in bus. The fuel system itself is also protected by fuel barriers to ensure the integrity of the fuel system, and the system uses carryover Ford sender and rollover valves that have been installed into Ford vehicles, the Type A gasoline Micro Bird school bus and passenger vehicles.
“Our buses are made with the highest safety standards and we do not foresee any issues or scenarios where our buses will pose a safety risk,” he said, adding that the gasoline Vision is expected to pass FMVSS 301 front and rear crash tests. “Safety continues to evolve for gasoline, and is the most commonly used fuel in the market today. Think of your car; it’s probably gasoline powered.”
He also pointed out that there are more than 1.3 million Ford 6.8L V10 engines on the road today, many of which operate on gasoline, and there have been no recorded issues with the higher heat produced by this fuel type.
“In fact, Ford is so confident in this, they offer a 5-year, unlimited mile warranty on the engine, transmission and fuel system,” Bercik continued.
Meanwhile, Jaime Rankin, senior vice president at Ford and CEO of Ford Component Sales, shared with trade show attendees on July 27 that the new gasoline Vision is also powered by a Ford transmission with ROUSH providing the engine and fuel system upgrades. She stressed the bus is not refurbished as it is expected to roll off the Blue Bird production line next year in time for the start of the 2016-2017 school year.
Horlock added during the trade show that the gas bus is designed to be an industry price leader by reducing maintenance costs for operators with minimum emissions equipment, unlike diesel. Later, Bercik also pointed out that the bus is equipped with a three-way catalyst similar to most passenger cars to eliminate the need for Diesel Exhaust Fluid, Selective Catalyst Reduction or Diesel Particulate Filters to meet emissions standards. This, he added, allows a wider variety of mechanics to work on the gasoline Vision as most are familiar with the fuel and engine. Additionally “extended road trips are not a problem,” citing the widespread fueling infrastructure nationwide.
“The price of the fuel may be slightly higher than diesel, but the benefits and savings in other areas will be a huge benefit to school districts nationwide,” he said, when asked about gas prices, at least at the retail pump, that have in some areas surpassed diesel.
At this report, national and regional data from U.S. Energy Information Administration showed that the average retail gasoline price was $2.80 per gallon compared to $2.78 per gallon for diesel.
While Bercik said “many factors” such as terrain and route type will affect the bus’ mpg, Blue Bird expects to have projected mpg available by the end of this year after more testing is conducted.
Blue Bird also announced two new fuel system calibration options. At the flip of a switch, drivers can activate the new Econo Shift to deliver a promised increase of fuel economy of 5 to 6 percent over a standard diesel for urban and flat-terrain duty cycles and reduced power at the same time. The company’s new Power Shift provides quick acceleration in the propane-autogas models.
