ROUSH CleanTech announced the completion of the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Altoona Testing on a ROUSH CleanTech Ford E-450 vehicle fueled by propane autogas. Public sector fleet managers at the 2012 Government Fleet Expo and Conference, held today through Wednesday in Denver, will be the first to learn of the recent testing and how it can benefit them.

“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.”

FTA provides funding for the purchase, operation and maintenance of public transportation systems. 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 this 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, including Champion, ElDorado National, Elkhart Coach, Glaval Bus, Goshen Coach and Starcraft Bus.