Blue Bird's Electric and Propane Medium-Duty Options

Blue Bird rolls out electric and propane medium-duty chassis for step vans, offering clean, fleet-ready options for delivery and work truck applications.

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May 29, 2025

Blue Bird Propane Powered Strip Chassis for medium-duty truck — The new propane chassis includes a Ford 7.3L V8 engine and lightweight design to boost payload and cut emissions.
Photo: Blue Bird

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Blue Bird electric medium-duty truck — Blue Bird’s electric chassis features a 140kWh battery, 130-mile range, and driver-friendly features for last-mile delivery fleets.
Photo: Blue Bird

Blue Bird is extending its clean-transportation legacy from the school bus yard to the broader commercial fleet space.

The company is rolling out two new medium-duty stripped chassis platforms designed for step vans and delivery vehicles — one all-electric and one propane-powered — both built to handle up to 23,000 pounds GVWR.

Electric Chassis Designed for Last-Mile Delivery

At the heart of Blue Bird’s electric platform is a 140kWh lithium-ion battery, mounted securely within the frame rails for added protection. The chassis offers a 178-inch wheelbase and delivers up to 130 miles of range on a single charge, depending on route and infrastructure.

Charging times range from 1 to 12 hours, depending on the power source.

Fleet-focused features include:

Hill hold assist to prevent rollback on inclines
Electric creep to simulate gas engine idle at stops
55-degree wheel cut for enhanced maneuverability in tight spots

This platform is geared toward last-mile delivery and urban operations where efficiency and clean power matter most.

Propane Chassis Offers OEM Simplicity with Proven Power

On the propane side, Blue Bird is offering a stripped chassis with a 208-inch wheelbase, also rated for up to 23,000 pounds GVWR. It comes equipped with an OEM-installed Ford 7.3L V-8 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and paired with a propane autogas system developed by ROUSH CleanTech.

Designed for medium- to long-range applications, the propane chassis uses lightweight components to maximize payload while cutting emissions. Like its electric sibling, the chassis keeps that best-in-class 55-degree wheel cut, giving drivers the flexibility needed for tight delivery routes or city driving.

Medium-Duty Fleet Availability Coming Soon

Blue Bird expects both chassis options — electric and propane — to be commercially available in early 2026. These new offerings bring more zero- and low-emission choices to fleet managers looking for proven alternatives to diesel, backed by Blue Bird’s decades of vehicle-building experience.

Topics:Blue Bird propane Electric Vehicles Green Fleet

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