Blue Bird Showcased Zero- and Low-Emission Commercial Vehicle Platforms at 2025 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo
Blue Bird showcased its groundbreaking electric-powered step van which features a 140kWh Lithium-ion battery, enabling a vehicle range of up to 130 miles on a single charge. | PHOTO SOURCE: Blue Bird
Blue Bird Corporation, the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, showcased its latest zero- and ultra-low emission commercial vehicle platforms at the 2025 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, North America’s largest advanced transportation technology event. The company presented both its groundbreaking electric step van and propane-powered stripped chassis at the industry event.
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 displayed featured 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.
Several safety features
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.
Blue Bird also presented 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 offers an industry first, OEM-installed propane powertrain featuring Ford’s proven 7.3L V8 engine. Blue Bird 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 Motor Company and ROUSH CleanTech to develop the propane-powered Class 5-6 stripped chassis. 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.
Blue Bird leverages ROUSH CleanTech’s proven, ultra-low emission propane technology that has accumulated more than three billion miles with 3,000 fleets in North America.
