Thomas Built Buses developing new CNG-fueled school bus

24 October 2012

Thomas Built Buses will further expand its alternative-powered product offerings with the addition of a compressed natural gas (CNG)-fueled Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus. The company plans to utilize the Cummins Westport ISB6.7 G, a mid-range 6.7 liter natural gas engine, currently in development and expected to be available in 2015.

The ISB6.7 G engine will be based on the Cummins ISB6.7 diesel engine and will use Cummins Westport’s proven, spark-ignited, stoichiometric-cooled exhaust gas recirculation (SEGR) technology. The ISB6.7 G, which is expected to be in production by 2015, will be designed to meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations in force when it is launched.

Thomas Built Buses launched its Type D rear-engine Saf-T-Liner HDX school bus with CNG in 1992. Since then, the company has put more than 1,300 HDX CNG buses on the road and has seen demand increase in the last five years. The Thomas Built HDX CNG school bus releases up to 20% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than diesel engines.

Thomas Built is expanding its CNG offering in response to increasing customer interest in school buses powered by lower-priced, cleaner and increasingly abundant natural gas.

Thomas Built’s vehicle lineup also includes the Saf-T-Liner C2e diesel-electric hybrid, propane-fueled Minotour and Saf-T-Liner HDX CNG models. A propane-fueled offering of the innovative Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2 bus is expected to be available in 2013.

Founded in 1916, Thomas Built Buses is a leading manufacturer of school buses in North America. The company is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC.