Starcraft said it will take advantage of a deal with Ford and a “a very well-established and nationally-known” engine modifier to bring CNG to the small school bus market next year.
While details had yet to be released, Starcraft GM David Wright said the deal will be similar to liquefied propane partnerships, one between Collins Bus Corporation, Clean Fuels USA and GM and the other between Micro Bird, ROUSH Performance and Ford, that are available to the industry. The third-party company utilized by Starcraft and certified by Ford will modify engine codes supplied by Ford for its gasoline engines.
The CNG chassis will require certification for Starcraft school buses and a full warranty by both Ford and the third-party prior to launch, Wright added.
Meanwhile, GM was set to announce this month a new CNG offering for its medium-duty commercial chassis but one that would not be certified for Type A school buses anytime soon, a company spokesman confirmed.
