and later in talking with STN, that the electrified F-650 would be well-suited for the Type C school bus segment, and it could also be customized for Type A school buses. While electric vehicles are the hot commodity right now, espe-


cially in places like California that literally have hundreds of mil- lions of dollars in grant funds to award, Mouw was quick to point out that propane remains ROUSH CleanTech’s bread and butter. But while echoing comments he made to STN at last year’s ACT EXPO, the company is eyeing many heretofore labeled “alternative fuels” to lead the march toward near-zero and zero emissions, with electric being one of them. Tat point was further made a week later, when Blue Bird announced it had extended its alternative-fuel partnership with ROUSH CleanTech through 2025. We caught up with Mouw prior to the ACT EXPO in May to discuss his company’s path moving forward, and what increasing propane acceptance and the electric unveil mean to the school bus industry. Mouw has more than two decades of experience in the automotive and high-tech industries, plus he is the former president of the NTEA Green Truck Association.


School Transportation News: How does your recent promotion and other leadership changes meet the vision of the company going forward?


Todd Mouw: All of the changes reflect our desire to put our best talent in position to leverage the great foundation and momentum we have built with Blue Bird. We have helped Blue Bird and its dealers sell more than 13,000 propane school buses over the last six years and we believe the greatest growth is ahead of us. Less than 10 percent of school districts across the country have implemented propane—that is what is driving our passion and investment in people and technology.


STN: With the HD-OBD certification from EPA and CARB,


you said propane or other “alt fuels” should no longer be considered alternative, as they are moving into the “mainstream.” What’s your perspective on the continued evolution and availability of propane, as well as cost, compared to other fuels? Todd Mouw: Tis is an interesting one. Blue Bird is the best- positioned school bus OEM to satisfy the changing needs of the customer with propane, CNG, gasoline and electric solutions. We are very bullish on the future of propane for student transportation. It checks all of the boxes to become the dominant transportation fuel over the next couple of decades, as other tech- nologies such as electric vehicles mature. Propane offers: Best total cost of ownership; ease of maintenance; lower emissions; domestic fuel; infrastructure at low/no cost; limited/no shop modifications required; ease of operation in cold climates; no performance com-


FREE CAKE Now that we have your attention...


Isn’t her safety worth eleven minutes?


Come celebrate with us at the 25th Anniversary STN EXPO


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) system. Eleven minutes that can mean the difference between best practices and worst-case scenario. www.stnexpo.com July 13–18, 2018 | Peppermill Resort | Reno, NV


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Client: Zonar Systems – Child Safety Ad #1 - Her safety Created by: Publication:


See Us At Booth #215 GSS Communiqations, 323.939.1181 www.stnonline.com 31 Student Transportation News, STN, 11/17 issue 877.843.3847 • zonarsystems.com


Early Bird


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