Micro Bird has launched the new G5, a ROUSH liquid-propane powered E-450 Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) Cutaway vehicle, during BusCon, the largest show dedicated to the bus industry. During the show, the Micro Bird G5 will be on display in the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) booth at the Navy Pier in Chicago.

The new bus has a 25 passenger capacity, uses the Ford 6.8L, V-10 engine converted to run on liquid propane, sports a fuel capacity of 43 gallons and depending on driving conditions, has a range of 320 miles. Vehicles using propane have no additional weight added to the vehicle; therefore, stopping distance and brake wear will be similar to a traditional gasoline or diesel fueled vehicle. In addition, propane fueled vehicles have no loss of horsepower or torque and emit lower emissions than traditional fuels.

“This product delivers on a need that the shuttle bus, school bus and delivery markets have been asking for. Through the use of propane, fleets will significantly reduce their operating costs as well as the carbon footprint for those that adopt this liquid propane technology without compromising any of the key vehicle attributes such as horsepower, torque, weight, or the space available for passengers or cargo,” said Todd Mouw, ROUSH vice-president of sales and marketing.

Mouw continued, “We are excited to partner with Micro Bird on a Class A school bus that utilizes this Dual Rear Wheel and liquid propane injection conversion system. Nothing speaks louder about safety and reduced emissions than putting children, our most precious cargo, in a propane-powered vehicle like the Micro Bird G5.”

The Micro Bird G5 will be available nationwide in the first quarter of 2011 and will be sold exclusively through Blue Bird dealers.