Wisconsin Bus Sales explains the many benefits of fueling buses on propane

1. PROPANE AUTOGAS
One of the best kept secrets in alternative fuels
is right here in our own backyard.

2. 90% of the propane used in the US is produced in the
US. 33% of the world supply is from Texas.

3.  Fuel costs up to 50% less than
gas and 30% less than diesel.
 Infrastructure cost drastically
less than other alternative fuels.
 Propane autogas burns clean
and potentially reduces
maintenance costs and extends
engine life.
Economical

5. 5
Ford 6.8L-3V Engine &
6R140 Transmission
“A Relationship that Began Over 80 Years Ago”

6. 6
6.8L-3V Engine Background
 The 6.8L-3V engine is produced in Windsor Ontario.
• 2.1 million square feet
• 1850 employees
 The 6.8L engine was introduced in 1997. An upgraded version of the
engine was introduced in 2005 with 3 valves per cylinder (2 intake, 1
exhaust).
 The 6.8L engine is currently used in Super Duty trucks (F450 – F550),
Econoline vans, strip chassis, motorhomes and commercial step vans.
Over 1 million 6.8L engines have been produced since its
introduction.
 The engine was upgraded with premium valves, valve seats and a
larger oil pump to meet Blue Bird’s needs.

7. 7
6.8L-3V Key Features
Electronic
Throttle
Cast
Stainless
Manifolds
Two Intake
Valves per
Cylinder
Aluminum
Heads
Oil CoolerCast Iron
Block
Premium
Exhaust
Valves
(Inconel)
Other Features
• Knock Sensors
• Balance Shaft
• Fail Safe Cooling

8. 8
6.8L-3V Technical Comparison
GM 8.1L Ford 6.8L-3V Advantage
Displacement 8.1L 6.8L Ford - Fuel Economy
Horsepower 330 hp 362 hp Ford - Performance
Torque 450 ft-lbs 457 ft-lbs Ford - Performance
Compression Ratio 9.1:1 9.2:1 Ford - Fuel Economy
Valvetrain
Pushrod
(2 valves per cylinder)
Overhead Cam
(3 valves per cylinder)
Ford - Performance
Weight 727 lbs 620 lbs
Ford - Performance &
Fuel Economy
Throttle control Electronic Electronic Equal
Block cast iron cast iron Equal
Cylinder Head cast iron aluminum Ford - Weight
Intake Manifold cast aluminum composite Ford - Weight
Exhaust Manifold cast stainless steel cast stainless steel Equal
Crankshaft cast nodular iron Forged steel Ford - Strength
Connecting Rods forged steel Powdered Metal Ford - Weight
Ignition Coil pack Coil on Plug Ford - Reliability

9. 9
6.8L-3V Durability
 The original 6.8L-3V gas engine was designed for a
minimum of 10 year / 150,000 mile durability under the
most strenuous customer conditions.
 Feedback from gasoline fleet customers indicates they
routinely see 250k miles with no major issues.
 The Blue Bird LPG 6.8L-3V has been upgraded with
premium valves and valve seats. In addition, the engine
has been installed with a larger capacity oil pump to
maximize lubrication and aid in cooling.

10. 10

11. 11
6R140 Background
• The 6R140 transmission is produced in Sharonville Ohio:
– 2.4 million square feet
– 1670 employees
• The 6R140 is an all new product that Ford engineered over 4 years. It
went into production in late 2009.
• It is currently used as the only transmission in Ford’s Super Duty pick-up
(F250 – F550):
– 6.2L gas (405 ft-lbs, 385 hp)
– 6.8L gas (457 ft-lbs, 362 hp)
– 6.7L diesel (800 ft-lbs, 400 hp)
• The transmission was upgraded for both Ford’s medium duty F650
program and for Blue Bird.
250,000 units
per year

12. 12
6R140 Technical Overview
• 6-speed rear wheel drive transmission
• Builds on proven architecture used on other Ford 6-speed Rear wheel
drive applications
• Structure capable of up to 900 ft-lbs of engine torque
– Blue Bird 6.8L engine produces 457 ft-lbs.
• Input RPM capability (max/min): 6500/525
– Blue Bird 6.8L engine speeds are between 760 and 4750 rpm
• Torque converter can be locked at 900 rpm providing improved fuel
economy
• 5.899 ratio span allows for best in class launch capability and fuel
efficiency

13. 13
Proven powerflow provides
close ratio gearing for
seamless shifting and a double-
overdrive to help keep you in
the power sweet spot for
optimum performance and
fuel economy
Class exclusive Live Drive PTO directly
links the PTO Output gear to the engine
output making power available anytime the
engine is running, significantly improving
productivity and usefulness during start-stop
operation
Tested tough and varified
durable for over 250,000
miles of some of the
toughest Super Duty
operating conditions.
High Energy Friction Plates are
engineered with fluid lube paths to
improve cooling, wear resistance and
to reduced fluid churning to minmize
torque loss.
New High capacity, high efficiency
fluid filter keeps the fluid running
cleaner longer to extend fluid
change intervals up to 150,000 miles.
All new Torque Converter with
low speed lock up capability -
down to 900 RPM - enabling
the engine to run efficiently at
any rpm for improved fuel
economy.
Bigger Stronger Gears with a Lower
first gear ratio for improved launch
performance eund uncompromising
tow-haul durability
High Strength Cinter metal carrier with
patented Ford rocker one-way clutch is
desinged to easily handle the enormous
low-end torque of the diesel engine and
the high speeds of the gas engine
6R140 Key Features

14. 14
6R140 Feature Comparison to Allison:
• Both the Ford 6R140 and Allison are 6-Speed Automatics with double-
overdrive and electronic controls
• In addition, 6R140 Offers:
– Shift speeds up to 6250 rpm – Allison is limited to ~3,300 rpm
– Approximately ~30 lb. weight advantage (375 lbs. vs. ~345 lbs.)
– Posilok Torque Converter, provides improved fuel efficiency with
enhanced control of lock-up clutch and better lugging capability
compared to the open-piston Allison design
– High energy, Low drag friction material which reduces parasitic losses for
improved fuel economy.
– High efficiency Filter w/ 150,000 mile change interval
– GCW capability up to 37k lbs versus 33k lbs for the Allison 2000 Series

15. 15
6R140/Allison Comparison
(Engine Torque vs. GCW)
Note: Allison data taken from their website
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Max GCW (1000 lbs)
MaxEngineTorque(ft-lbs)
Allison 1000 series Allison 2000 series
6R140 Capability
Blue Bird
6.8L-3V

16. 16
6R140 Durability Testing
Original 6R140 Testing (800 ft-lb diesel)
• 6.7L Diesel – 800 ft-lb Super Duty Testing
– Successfully completed ten (10) 250,000 mile representative life tests with 800 ft-lbs of engine
torque in a 36,000 lbs vehicle
– The Blue Bird program has a max engine torque of 457 ft-lbs and 33,000 lbs
• A full 250k mi equivalent Gear Life Test was successfully completed after completion of 250k mile
representative trans life test (total of 500k miles)
• Three Transmission life tests extended to 350k equivalent miles with no issues
• Commercial Duty Transmission Upgrade Testing
– Test completed 350k miles with no issue

17. 5 Year/100,000 Mile Ford Engine/Transmission Limited Warranty
For Blue Bird Corporation School Buses
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is providing a 5 year/100,000 Engine/Transmission Limited
Warranty on
eligible Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) school buses. Ford will provide for the repair,
replacement, or services of covered components on the school buses during this Limited
Warranty
period in accordance with the following terms, conditions, and limitations.
1. Ford Engine/Transmission Limited Warranty. Under the Ford Engine/Transmission
Limited
Warranty, You are provided with 5 years of coverage from the original customer delivery
date as
provided to Ford by Blue Bird or up to 100,000 miles on the odometer, whichever occurs
first.
2. Eligible Vehicles. 2012 – 2017 model year Blue Bird school buses equipped with the
Ford 6.8L
– 3V engine assembly and the Ford 6R140 transmission assembly.

18. 3. Repairs Covered Under The Ford Engine/Transmission Limited Warranty. Your Blue Bird Dealer, a
Ford authorized dealership or other service provider authorized by Ford will repair, replace or
service all covered components, as specified on page 2, that fail due to defective material or
workmanship during the applicable Ford Engine/Transmission Limited Warranty period. Parts and
services not covered under the Ford Engine/Transmission Limited Warranty are listed on page 2.
4. Component Protection. Components covered by the Ford Engine/Transmission Limited Warranty are
shown on page 2.
5. Where To Go For Covered Repairs. Contact your Blue Bird Dealer to obtain service for your
Blue Bird bus. Your Blue Bird Dealer will help arrange for repair, replacement or service of
engine or transmission components covered by this Ford Engine/Transmission Limited Warranty by a
Blue Bird Dealer, a Ford authorized dealership, or other service provider authorized by Ford.

19. Local Benefits of Propane Powered School Buses:
1. Lower Emissions:
Studies show that more than 70% of ambient air pollution comes from diesel emissions alone. 1 2
Diesel particulates are dangerous because they are so tiny, and can lodge into the deepest areas of
human lungs. Children, in particular, are susceptible because they breathe 50 percent more air per
pound of body weight than adults. 3
a. Propane powered buses emit virtually zero particulate matter.4
In essence, this is a 100%
decrease in unhealthy particulate emissions when compared to diesel school buses.
b. By running propane powered buses, your district will reduce their local Carbon Dioxide
Emissions by around 311,000 lbs per year. *Assume 15,000 miles per year on 35 buses.
c. Propane is nontoxic, non-carcinogenic, and is not considered a greenhouse gas if purged. In
the unlikely event of a propane leak or spill, (unlike gasoline and diesel) propane does not
harm the environment and is not a groundwater contaminant.
2. Impact Energy Security and Local Economy:
98% percent of propane comes from North American production. The main sources for propane are
Natural Gas (80%) and Crude Oil (20%).
a. Propane currently contributes more than $554 million to the Wisconsin economy, and the
industry employs more than 1,430 people in Wisconsin alone. 5
b. By operating propane powered buses, your district will replace imported diesel consumption
with 116,000 gallons of domestically produced propane autogas per year. *Assume 15,000 miles
per year on 35 buses.
3. Safe Transportation:
Propane Tanks are made of ASME certified ductile carbon steel, whereas, gasoline and diesel tanks
are made of a hardened blow molded plastic.
a. Propane Tanks are 20 times more puncture resistant than gasoline and diesel tanks.
b. Auto-ignition: Propane has a much higher auto-ignition temperature when compared to
gasoline and diesel. This means the minimum temperature of a spark must be much higher
in order for propane to combust, whereas gas and diesel can ignite with a relatively cool
spark: Propane: 842° F / Diesel: 494° F / Gasoline: 530° F
c. Flammability Range: The range of air to vapor in which propane will ignite is narrower than
that required for gasoline or diesel. Ratios for air to fuel ignition (rich limit ÷ lean limit):
Propane: 4.5:1 / Diesel: 12.5:1 / Gasoline: 5.5:1
1
Solomon, Gina M., et al. “No Breathing in the Aisles: Diesel Exhaust Inside School Buses.” National Resources Defense Council and
the Coalition for Clean Air. January 2001 27 April 2004 <http://www.nrdc.org/air/transportation/schoolbus/sbusinx.asp>.
2
Nazemi, Mike A. “Multiple Toxics Exposure Study (MATES-II) in the South Coast Air Basin.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Office of Science Policy (OSP), South Coast Air Quality Management District. Sampling Period: April 1998 to March 1999. 29 April
2004 <http://www.epa.gov/osp/presentations/airtox/nazemi.pdf>.
3

20. Mesa Public Schools Saves 32 Cents per Mile with Propane
Autogas
Omaha Public Schools to Run More Than 400 Buses on
Propane Autogas
Dairyland Bus Company Loses Contract for Waukesha Schools
While First Student’s bids came in at $6.33 million for diesel fuel and $6.14 million for propane
fuel with an assumption that 50 percent of buses are run on propane fuel
First Student Adds Nearly 135 Propane Autogas-Powered
Buses to Pacific Northwest Fleet
FIRST STUDENT ADDS 86 PROPANE SCHOOL BUSES
TO PORTLAND FLEET
Bozeman schools would switch to propane buses if new contract
with First Student is OK’d
The first-year costs in four bids were: First Student with propane buses, $1.86 million; First
Student with diesel, $1.98 million; Durham School Services, $2 million; and Karst Stage,
$2.3 million

21. School District Saves More than $67K with Propane School
Buses
WRITTEN BY RYAN GRAY
TUESDAY, 19 JUNE 2012 08:15
Eastern Carver County Schools in Minnesota says it saved more than $67,000 during the 2011-
2012 school year alone by switching to propane power for its transportation fleet
Propane buses creating savings for
District 112According to Brett Johnson, director of communications and community
relations, 18 of the district’s 102 buses had propane engines during the last school year, which led to savings of more
than $67,000 in fuel

22. PROPANE SCHOOL BUSES IN WISCONSIN
SEPTEMBER 2012 FOUR PROPANE POWERED SCHOOL BUSES
SEPTEMBER 2013 150 PROPANE POWERED SCHOOL BUSES
PRIGGE’S SCHOOL BUS SERVICE – SHEBOYGAN, WI. FIRST WISCONSIN CONTRACTOR
TO PURCHASE PROPANE POWERED BLUE BIRD VISION “So Far we are very pleased with
our propane school buses. Our drivers and student passengers just love the almost instant heat on
cold winter days. The drivers like the way they handle …. And there is little to no noise while
driving. The best part is no smelly diesel exhaust.”

23. Annual Miles 15,000.00 15,000.00 15,000.00
Total Miles in Life 180,000.00 180,000.00 180,000.00
Average MPG 71 Pass 6.00 7.00 4.00
71 Pass Gallons Consumed Annually 2,500.00 2,142.86 3,750.00
71 Pass Gallons Consumed Total 30,000.00 25,714.29 45,000.00
Diesel Price Per Gallon $3.65 $3.65
Propane Price per Gallon $1.45
Oil Interval 3,500.00 6,000.00 6,000.00
Oil Capacity 30.00 17.00 7.00
Oil Filter Cost $28.00 $5.00 $5.00
Oil Cost per Quart $1.50 $1.50 $1.50
71 Pass DEF Gallons (2%) 514.29
DEF Cost per Gallon $1.89
PM's Over Life 51 30 30
Labor Hours per PM 1 1 1
Hourly Labor Cost $30.00 $30.00 $30.00
Fuel Filter Change Interval 12,000 12,000 50,000
Fuel Filter Cost $60.00 $20.00 $113.00
Total Filter Changes 15 15 3.6
71 Pass Lifetime Fuel Cost $109,500.00 $93,857.14 $65,250.00
71 Pass Lifetime PM Cost $6,197.14 $3,087.00 $1,771.80
71 Pass TOTAL $115,697.14 $96,944.14 $67,021.80
PM Comparison
Lifecycle Costs
Type C School Bus
180,000 Mile Lifecycle Cost Comparison
IC Diesel BB Diesel BB Propane Autogas
Gallon Comparison