Blue Bird Presents its Latest Zero- and Low-Emission Commercial Vehicle Solutions at Work Truck Week
Blue Bird Corporation, the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, highlights its latest zero- and ultra-low emission commercial vehicle solutions at the upcoming Work Truck Week 2025 (WTW25). The company debuts its groundbreaking propane-powered Class 5-6 stripped chassis. In addition, Blue Bird presents its state-of-the-art electric step van at the show’s Ride & Drive. WTW25 takes place on March 4–7, 2025, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind.
“By leveraging ROUSH CleanTech's proven propane technology that has accumulated more than three billion miles with 3,000 fleets, we’re revolutionizing the commercial sector with reliable, low-emission step vans that reduce operating costs without compromising performance.”
Propane-powered stripped chassis
Blue Bird premieres its propane-powered stripped chassis based on a 208-inch wheelbase for medium to long-range delivery vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of up to 23,000 pounds. The company utilizes lightweight materials and components for its innovative vehicle platform maximizing fuel-efficiency and vehicle payload while continuing to prioritize vehicle safety.
Blue Bird built on its long-standing collaboration with Ford Component Sales and ROUSH CleanTech to develop the propane-powered Class 5-6 stripped chassis. The vehicle platform features Ford’s proven 7.3L V8 engine. ROUSH CleanTech integrates Ford’s compact, durable and easy-to-maintain 335 horsepower engine into a low-emission powertrain option for Blue Bird’s propane-powered commercial vehicle platform.
The new propane-powered stripped chassis will be on display at ROUSH CleanTech, booth 553.
Electric-powered step van
Blue Bird showcases an electric-powered step van based on its groundbreaking Class 5-6 stripped chassis at WTW25. The step van features a 178-inch wheelbase for last-mile-delivery vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of up to 23,000 pounds. The vehicle on display features a 140kWh Lithium-ion battery. The batteries are mounted inside the frame rails for superior battery protection. The battery pack supports a vehicle range of up to 130 miles on a single charge. It takes between one and twelve hours to fully recharge depending on the charging infrastructure.
Blue Bird offers several safety features on its electric-powered step van not standard on comparable electric vehicles to enhance driver protection and familiarity. This includes “hill hold,” which prevents the vehicle from rolling backward or forward when sitting stationary on a hill, and “electric creep,” which allows the vehicle to slowly start moving from a stop when the driver's foot is removed from the brake pedal to simulate a gasoline engine in gear. In addition, both the electric- and propane-powered stripped chassis provide 55-degree, best-in-class wheel cut to improve maneuverability in tight urban settings.
WTW25 attendees can experience Blue Bird’s new electric-powered step van at the Ride & Drive on March 5–6, 2025, from 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m. ET.
For more information on Blue Bird’s technology leadership and commercial vehicle transportation solutions, visit booth 571.
