Roush CleanTech announced it has completed Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) New Model Bus Testing Program, also known as Altoona Testing, on a Ford E-450 vehicle fueled by propane autogas. The completion of the testing program opens the door for municipalities to deploy E-450 vehicles operating on propane autogas with the help of FTA funding to offset some of the conversion costs.
“Altoona Testing of the propane autogas Ford E-450 will allow all agencies to apply for FTA funding to assist with conversion costs of that vehicle,” said Lynn McLean, director of maintenance for Flint Mass Transit Authority (MTA), which operates two ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas buses and plans to add 60 more vehicles to its fleet by 2013.
“This means huge financial assistance for any paratransit fleet looking to operate on a domestically produced alternative fuel like propane autogas,” said Lynn McLean, director of maintenance for Flint Mass Transit Authority (MTA). The authority, which operates two Roush CleanTech propane autogas buses, plans to add 60 more vehicles to its fleet by 2013.
FTA’s Altoona Testing, named for the primary test facility location, rates new transit bus models on safety, structural integrity and durability, reliability, performance, maintainability, noise and fuel economy. The completion of testing means all paratransit body configurations that are compatible with the Roush CleanTech propane autogas powered Ford E-450 chassis are eligible for FTA funding, Roush said. These include Champion, ElDorado National, Elkhart Coach, Glaval Bus, Goshen Coach and Starcraft Bus.
“Roush CleanTech’s Altoona testing of the Ford E-450 means government and paratransit fleets now have a more affordable and cleaner option to gasoline and diesel, and complements our EPA- and CARB-approved line-up of Ford pick-up trucks and vans,” said Todd Mouw, vice president of sales and marketing for Roush CleanTech. “We look forward to meeting public sector fleet professionals at this year’s conference to help get them started in achieving their sustainability goals.”
