More power options are coming soon to the large school bus space as Cummins prepares to launch a second gasoline engine option for the market and its long-awaited successor to the 6.7-liter diesel engine.

The gasoline or octane engine will be in full production next January, with the new B7.2 diesel engine available January 2027, the company announced earlier this month. The new gasoline engine will be available January 2026.

Both engines are the initial launches of Cummins’ HELM, or Higher Efficiency, Lower emissions and Multiple fuels, platform. The engine lineup is referred to as “fuel agnostic,” the base engine remains the same, but the fuel heads can be swapped for diesel, gasoline and eventually CNG.

Currently, the school bus industry only has one choice in gasoline and propane, that being the ROUSH CleanTech auto-gas system for Blue Bird.

Cummins originally planned on adding a propane offering on its HELM platform but announced last year it would forego that option.

The B7.2 meets the upcoming EPA Greenhouse Gas Emissions Phase 3 rule set to go into effect in 2027. The company said will emit approximately 85 percent less NOx and 50 percent less PM than 2010 model year diesel engines. In an overview provided to School Transportation News, Cummins explained that lower GHG result from the clean-sheet base engine and optimized components.

“One of the most significant changes is the increase in peak cylinder pressure capability, allowing us to extract the energy from the fuel more effectively,” the overview states. “As greenhouse gas emissions are directly proportional to fuel burned, the improvements made to improve GHG emissions also save fuel, reducing the operating costs of the new B7.2.”

The diesel will also be compatible with automatic engine shutdown and stop-start systems that can lower fuel consumption as well as GHG.

On a recent episode of the School Transportation Nation podcast recorded at STN EXPO East, Francisco Lagunas, general manager of the North America bus segment at Cummins, said the B7.2 diesel engine will provide a wider range of torque as the company address the various duty cycles of its customers and the environmental condition they operate in.

“There are big differences north to south, coast to coast. Cummins focuses on reliability and what’s best for the customer,” he added.

This includes ACUMEN that provides access and connectivity to a range of applications for , digital insights.

“Customers can utilize these detailed tools to enhance the driving experience including predictive capabilities and over-the-air features that will reduce visits to the shop, increase uptime and minimize the operations,” Lagunas continued. “It will also take advantage of options like compression brake or extend the oil drain intervals.”

Meanwhile, Lagunas said the new octane engine available next year will provide diesel-like performance for both reliability and durability. He added that fleet operators can expect 10 percent improved fuel economy based on the duty cycle.

Related: School Districts Replace Diesel Buses with Propane, Electric
Related: Cummins Electrification Rebrand Promises Acceleration of Electric School Bus Production
Related: What to Know About Federal Fuel Tax Credit on Diesel

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COLUMBUS, Ind. – Today global power and technology leader Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) announced an update to the legendary B-Series engine platform, unveiling the new Cummins B7.2 diesel engine at NTEA Work Truck Week in Indianapolis, IN.

“Our B engine is a legend known around the world. We are proud to unveil the newest version, the B7.2 diesel engine, right here in our backyard,” said Brett Merritt, Vice President and President – Engine Business.

“The B7.2 brings the latest technology and advancements to one of our most proven platforms. Combined with the rest of our medium-duty lineup, our customers will have the right engine choices to fit their business needs, with the power and dependability they have come to expect from Cummins.”

The B7.2 diesel is the next engine in the B series Cummins HELM platform, following the B6.7 Octane engine, and will bring state-of-the-art technology and continue to serve a variety of medium-duty and vocational applications, including bus, pickup & delivery, utility trucks, refuse, towing, and more.

The new engine will feature a slightly higher displacement, increasing to 7.2L, and is designed to be a global platform which allows customers to ensure their vehicles are ready for what’s to come, without sacrificing performance or durability. A higher displacement also allows for a wider range of torque offerings, creating flexibility for different applications and duty cycles. “Our customers have used the B-Series engine for more than 40 years and rely on it every day to meet their needs,” said Jose Samperio, Vice President – North America On-Highway. “It was important that we offer the reliability and performance that they have come to expect, while also creating an engine that is built to last for the future.”

The B7.2 will improve unrestricted top-end performance ratings, providing 240 to 340 hp and 650 to 1,000 lb.-ft of torque. Additionally, the new engine will be automatic engine shutdown and stop-start capable for improved greenhouse gas emissions and will offer a compression release engine brake and extended oil drain interval pan option.

It will also be equipped with Cummins’ full suite of digital technologies, which help enhance performance, maximize uptime and reduce total cost of ownership. The B7.2 provides digital connectivity and immediate access to a range of applications and capabilities through Acumen, Cummins’ smart computing hardware, and OEM first-fit solutions. Customers can utilize digital tools that enhance driver experience, including predictive capabilities (prognostics) and advanced over-the-air features. B7.2 is also Cummins Maintenance Monitor capable, reducing shop visits and minimizing cost of operation.

The B7.2 engine will be manufactured at Rocky Mount Engine Plant in North Carolina and will go into full production in North America starting in 2027. Find out more about the B7.2 and Cummins’ other mid-range line-up this week at NTEA Work Truck Week from March 5 to 7 in the Cummins Booth (#763) at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

About Cummins Inc.
Cummins Inc., a global power solutions leader, is comprised of five business segments Engine, Components, Distribution, Power Systems, and Accelera by Cummins  supported by our global manufacturing and extensive service and support network, skilled workforce and vast technological expertise. Cummins is committed to its Destination Zero strategy, which is grounded in the company’s commitment to sustainability and helping its customers successfully navigate the energy transition with its broad portfolio of products. The products range from advanced diesel, natural gas, electric and hybrid powertrains and powertrain-related components including after treatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, valvetrain technologies, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, axles, drivelines, brakes, suspension systems, electric power generation systems, batteries, electrified power systems, hydrogen production technologies and fuel cell products. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (U.S.), since its founding in 1919, Cummins employs approximately 76,500 people committed to powering a more prosperous world through three global corporate responsibility priorities critical to healthy communities: education, environment, and equality of opportunity. Cummins serves its customers online, through a network of company-owned and independent distributor locations, and through thousands of dealer locations worldwide and earned $3.9 billion on sales of $34.1 billion in 2024. See how Cummins is leading the world toward a future of smarter, cleaner power at www.cummins.com.

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