Blue Bird presents new zero- and low-emission commercial vehicle solutions at Work Truck Week
03 March 2025
Blue Bird will present its latest electric- and propane-powered commercial vehicle solutions at Work Truck Week 2025. The industry event takes place on 4–7 March 2025, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind.
Blue Bird will debut the propane-powered Class 5-6 stripped chassis as well as its electric step van.
The Blue Bird propane-powered stripped chassis is 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 Blue Bird electric-powered step van is based on its Class 5-6 stripped chassis. 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.
Why is LPG not a thing in the US? I see them allover Europe,
Posted by: dursun | 04 March 2025 at 03:19 PM
https://www.lpgasmagazine.com/evolution-of-us-autogas-consumption-and-refueling-infrastructure/
About 2% of all vehicles, lack of fuel points and lower MPG seems to be the hang up. CNG is even less at 0.5% of vehicles here again fuel points are expensive and limited. Our city buses are CNG which makes sense one depot = one fuel point needed ,once or twice per day at driver shift change.
Petrol dominates the LDV segment and therefore the total consumption numbers , followed by MDV and Class 8 in diesel.
The obvious solution is to make plug in hybrids and REEVs in the LDV segment not only affordable but common. A 5 passenger sedan with 50-75 miles plug in range covers 96% of all drives anywhere anytime. Having a 50kw genset at only runs when the pack is down to 20% charging it back up to 80% at peak efficiency yields 100mpg results on petrol more on diesel. That alone would cut fuel use by 1/4 from the 25mpg LDV fleet average.
Pure BEV is a cult with a political axe to grind. Most Americans demand 500+ mile unrestricted range and 2 minute refuel times. So give it to them while allowing 80-100mpg and the option to do all of your daily routine on plug ppwer. For people with charge access that 75mile EV range means once a month or so petrol stop. This also allows apartment dwellers who are 40% who may not or ever have plug access in parking lots the option to charge off petrol and still enjoy 80+ mpg and all the benefits of electric drive train, aka super fast acceleration, regen braking system, and single foot pedal driving.
For road trips, off road/off grid, trips to grandma across state lines or just leaving a huge 12 hour drive across state line Texas demands liquid fuel energy density no need to go all cult and deny people what they want. A small efficient genset, with a 25kWh or so pack is also lighter in mass than a pure BEV so your tires, brakes and struts last longer.
Posted by: JamesDo88039200 | 05 March 2025 at 05:39 AM