The new Micro Bird G5 powered by propane features the Ford 7.3L V8 engine.
ing Agility Fuel’s acquisition of former propane system provider CleanFUEL USA and Power Solutions Inter- national’s decision to not pursue propane conversion kits—Hiebert said all the Type A buzz is now electric. Lion’s Alexander suggested that the current budgetary
environment has forced school districts to take a harder look at EVs, partially due to increased cost savings over the life of the vehicle. “Districts operating electric buses have been saving thousands per bus in energy and maintenance costs, and we have customers operating electric fleets at scale who are realizing these savings now, and others are no- ticing,” he explained, adding that Lion is hearing about 60-percent reduced maintenance costs and 80-percent reduced energy costs. Micro Bird representatives said customers of its G5
Electric powered by an EcoTuned Automobile drivetrain are realizing a 50-percent reduction in maintenance costs, citing the lack of an exhaust system, fewer mov- ing parts and no need for oil and filter changes. There is also less wear-and-tear at the wheels due to regenerative braking, which Micro Bird also said improves autono- my while driving. Micro Bird also claims the only small bus EV with two-speed transmission, which provides additional torque in first and second gear, which the company said are respectively ideal for acceleration and improved drivability.
48 School Transportation News • MARCH 2021 “Customers that have test driven say they feel the dif-
ference,” said Brandon Berish, Micro Bird’s manager of sales and strategic training.
Propane Evolves Regardless of GM’s and Ford’s electric plans,
Micro Bird is also touting its new low NOx-emitting propane minibus, powered by ROUSH CleanTech. The generation-five fuel system integrates Ford’s new 7.3L V8 engine and is certified to meet the California Air Resources Board’s optional NOx emissions standard of 0.05 grans per brake horsepower-hour. It also runs on renewable propane, which is emerging to make propane more palatable in states like California that require a lower carbon index, or CI, that so far has only been capable via a zero-emissions system. ROUSH CleanTech President Todd Mouw explained
that renewable propane is chemically the same as tradi- tional propane but with a reduced CI, which drops even farther when blended with dimethyl ether (DME), a clean and non-toxic renewable with zero soot but a high ce- tane value. Mouw said DME could perhaps reduce the CI to below zero. And it requires no additional infrastruc- ture to implement into a fleet. “I think it’s incumbent upon everybody, whether it be
EV or hydrogen or propane, to keep raising the bar for that solution to make it more efficient and cleaner and
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