Blue Bird Extends Exclusive Clean School Bus Collaboration with Ford Component Sales and ROUSH CleanTech to 2030

Blue Bird Corporation (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, has extended its exclusive clean school bus collaboration with Ford Component Sales and ROUSH CleanTech to 2030. The agreement strengthens Blue Bird’s industry leadership in low- and zero-emission student transportation. Blue Bird is now the only school bus manufacturer in the United States to offer propane- and gasoline-powered school buses that will meet more stringent emission standards taking effect in 2027.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240501659262/en/

Blue Bird extended its exclusive clean school bus collaboration with Ford and ROUSH CleanTech to 2030. Ford’s 7.3L engine will continue to be at the heart of Blue Bird’s propane- and gasoline-powered school buses. Blue Bird’s near zero-emission, propane-powered school buses exceed strict emission standards. (Image provided by Blue Bird Corporation)

Ford continues to supply its 7.3L V8 engine exclusively to school bus builder Blue Bird. ROUSH CleanTech integrates Ford’s compact, durable and easy-to-maintain engine into low-emission powertrain options for propane- and gasoline-powered school buses. Blue Bird, Ford and ROUSH CleanTech began working together in 2012. Since then, Blue Bird has deployed more than 40,000 alternative-fuel powered school buses.

The demand for Blue Bird’s propane-powered school buses has steadily increased over the past decade. Today’s propane engine is 90 percent cleaner than the most stringent federal emission standard set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). New and even stricter emission standards will take effect in 2027. Blue Bird’s near zero-emission, propane-powered school buses exceed those emission standards already today.

“We are thrilled to extend our winning, long-standing collaboration with technology leaders Ford Motor Company and ROUSH CleanTech,” said Britton Smith, president of Blue Bird Corporation. “We are the only school bus manufacturer in the United States to bring an industry-leading portfolio of propane- and gasoline-powered buses to communities nationwide – and are excited for the opportunity to continue doing so for years to come. School districts and contractors seeking clean and cost-effective student transportation continue to find reliable solutions in Blue Bird.”