IC Bus CE Series
| IC Bus CE Series | |
|---|---|
| |
| Years of manufacture | 2000 to present |
| Length | 16'2" to 34'11" |
| Width | 96 inches |
| Power/Fuel | Diesel, Diesel Electric Hybrid |
| |
| CE Series Activity Bus | |
| |
The IC Bus CE Series is a high floor type-C bus with an integrated chassis and body. It is primarily used in school bus applications, as well as some commercial applications. The bus was originally introduced by International Bus as the IC ("integrated chassis") in 2000. International had previously acquired body manufacturer AmTran and developed a new body design.
Design history
The IC used the International 3800 chassis. The front end received a different grill with vertical openings instead of horizontal. In 2002, the IC was renamed CE, with International Bus taking the name IC Corporation. IC Corporation introduced the new 3300 chassis in 2005, replacing the 3800. The front end had restyled fenders, headlights, and grill.
The chassis uses all-steel cage construction. The three-piece "Easy Tilt" hood allows for easy access to the engine compartment. The body of the CE uses threaded steel frame construction that interlocks the roof bows, drip rail and roof stringers into a single frame unit and 16-gauge steel side sheets.
In 2006, IC Corporation introduced International Aware Vehicle Intelligence Solution, factory-installed telematics system. They also included the Leave No Student Behind alarm system, which requires drivers to disable an alarm at the rear of the bus before exiting, as standard.
In July 2006, IC Corporation unveiled the diesel-electric hybrid version of the CE at the New York Association of Pupil Transportation (NYAPT) Show. The hybrid CE uses an 80-kilowatt parallel hybrid system from Enova Systems with the International VT365 diesel engine. IC Corporation won a contract to supply up to 19 hybrid school buses in 11 states.[1] In 2011, IC Bus switched to a parallel hybrid system from Eaton.
As an alternative to diesel, IC Bus began offering a propane-powered version of the CE in 2015. It uses an 8.8 litre engine from Power Solutions International. As a more economical option, IC Bus introduced a gasoline-powered version of the CE at the 2016 North American School Bus Conference & Trade Show. It uses a gasoline-fueled 8.8 litre Power Solutions International engine.[2]
IC Bus made Bendix Electronic Stability Control and Bendix Wingman Collision Mitigation standard on their buses in 2018. The collision mitigation system provides driver alerts, adaptive cruise control, automatic braking, with optional lane departure warnings and speeding alerts. A 360 degree camera system, co-developed with Rosco, was also made available.
At the 2017 National Association for Pupil Transportation Conference and Trade Show in Columbus, Ohio, IC Bus introduced their chargE battery-electric prototype. After further development, IC Bus launched a battery-electric version of the CE at the end of 2020. IC Bus was awarded an order for 18 type C electric school buses that would be operated by 14 school districts in British Columbia.[3] In May 2021, the first buses were delivered.[4]
The battery-electric CE is available with a 105 kilowatt-hour, 210 kilowatt-hour or 315 kilowatt-hour battery capacity allowing for a range of over 70, 130, or 200 miles. The batteries can be recharged with a Level 1, Level 2, or DC Fast Charger. A 255 kilowatt (peak) permanent magnet motor is mounted at the rear and drives the rear wheels.
On July 14, 2023, IC Bus introduced what it terms the "Next Generation CE Series" with a newly redesigned front end and numerous safety and performance enhancements throughout the bus. The only engine options are now the Cummins diesel and electric motor. The new look CE Series is expected to make its debut when 2025 buses hit the assembly line in the summer of 2023.
Models
The CE Series was available in two models: CE200 and CE300. The difference between the two was the size of the engine used. The CE300 always used the larger engine. However in recent years this nomenclature was dropped when only one diesel engine was available from Cummins (VIN code C8).
Specifications
| Dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Body length: 16'2", 16'11", 17'8", 18'5", 19'2", 18'5", 19'2", 19'11", 20'8", 21'5", 22'2", 22'11", 23'8", 24'5", 25'2", 25'11", 26'8", 27'5", 28'2", 28'11", 29'8", 30'5", 31'2", 31'11", 32'8", 33'5", or 34'2" | ||
| Wheelbase: 158", 169", 193", 217", 236", 254", or 276" | ||
| GVWR:19,500 to 33,000 lbs | ||
| Engine | Emissions | Availability |
| International DT 466E 210 to 255 hp | CE300, 2000 to 2007 | |
| International T 444E | CE200, 2000 to 2002 | |
| International VT 365 200 to 230 hp | CE200, 2003 to 2007 | |
| International MaxxForce 7 200 to 230 hp | EPA 2007 | CE200, 2007 to 2010 |
| International MaxxForce 7 220, 240 or 260 hp | EPA 2010 | CE200, 2010 to 2013 |
| International MaxxForce DT 210 to 255 hp | EPA 2007 | CE300, 2007 to 2010 |
| International MaxxForce DT 215, 230, 245 or 260 hp | EPA 2010 | CE300, 2010 to 2013 |
| Cummins ISB6.7 200 to 260 hp | EPA 2013 & 2016 | 2013 to 2017 |
| Cummins B6.7 200 to 260 hp | GHG17 | 2017 onward |
| PSI 8.8l V8 270 hp | Gasoline, 2016-2024 | |
| PSI 8.8l V8 270 hp | Propane, 2015-2024 | |
| Transmission | Availability | |
| Allison 1000 PTS | ||
| Allison 2100 PTS | Up to 2010 | |
| Allison 2200 PTS | Up to 2010 | |
| Allison 2500 PTS | ||
| Allison 3000 PTS | ||
| Eaton Procision 7 spd automated manual | 2015-? (discontinued) | |
| Front suspension | ||
| 8,000-lb standard | ||
| 10,000-lb optional | ||
| Rear suspension | ||
| 15,500 to 21,000-lbs vari-rate spring capacity | ||
| 15,500 to 23,000-lbs IROS air option | ||
| Brakes | ||
| Full power hydraulic brakes with ABS and ATC | ||
| Optional air brakes with ABS | ||
| Tires | ||
| 11R22.5 LR-H | ||
| Capacity | ||
| 29 to 83 passengers | ||
Demonstrator and engineering units
Below is a list of known demonstrator and engineering buses
| Fleet number | Thumbnail | Year | VIN | Engine | Transmission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 12/2022 | 4DRGVC8N9PB775182 | Cummins B6.7 | Allison PTS 2500 |
| |
| — | 05/2023 | 4DRGVC8N3RB358272 | Cummins B6.7 | Allison PTS 2500 |
| |
| — | 06/2023 | 4DREPE2R7RB749093 | Dana TM4 Sumo MD HV2200-6P 255kW |
Direct-drive |
|
Operators
Canada 
- Ayr Coach Lines - Waterloo, ON
- Briggs Bus Lines (now under First Student Canada) - Edmonton, AB
- Cardinal Coach Lines (now under First Student Canada) - Calgary, AB
- Coach Canada
- Cunningham Transport Limited - Edmonton, AB
- DanNel Coach Lines - St. Catharines, ON
- Delaney Bus Lines - Avonmore, ON
- Edmonton Christian School - Edmonton, AB
- Elk Island Schools - Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Counties of Strathcona, Lamont, and Minburn, AB
- Golden Arrow School Buses - Edmonton, AB
- Healey Transportation - Smiths Falls, ON
- Howard Bus Service - Brockville, ON
- Laidlaw Education Services (now under First Student Canada)
- Old West Transport - Medicine Hat, AB
- Red Arrow Student Transportation Services (now Southland Transportation) - Edmonton, AB
- Sharp Bus Lines - Brantford, ON
- Southland Transportation - Calgary and Edmonton, AB
- Stock Transportation
- Thirdwave Bus Services - Vancouver, BC
- Westwind School Division No. 74 - Cardston, AB
United States 
- Atlantic Express - Staten Island, NY
- Educational Bus Transportation - Suffolk County, NY
- Jay's Bus Service - Lakewood, NJ
- Krapf Group- West Chester, PA
- Suffolk Transportation Service - Suffolk County, NY
- Trinity Coach - Wyandotte, MI
- West Chester University Shuttle- West Chester, PA
References
- ↑ 11 States are First in the Nation to Receive Hybrid School Buses as IC Corporation Awarded Bid by Advanced Energy Consortium. Press release. IC Corporation. 2006.
- ↑ Navistar & Power Solutions International Launch Gasoline-Fueled IC Bus at STN EXPO. Press release. 26 July 2017. Power Solutions International, Inc.
- ↑ "IC BUS ANNOUNCES FIRST ELECTRIC CE SCHOOL BUS ORDER." Navistar, 08 September 2020.
- ↑ "IC Bus Delivers First Electric CE School Buses To Canada." Navistar, 06 May 2021.