Napa, Fairfield to roll out electric buses

The Napa Valley Transportation Authority and the Fairfield and Suisun Transit system have received federal grants for the purchase of electric buses, it was announced Sept. 18.

NVTA received a $1.1 million and will apply the funds toward the purchase of five new 30-foot electric buses.

The BYD 30’ battery electric buses will replace several vehicles at or near the end of their useful lives. All of the replacements are diesel powered heavy-duty buses that are past their twelve-year life span.

The battery-powered buses have a range of 150-miles, can run a full day on a single charge and recharge overnight. The vehicles produce zero emissions and make oil changes a thing of the past.

The total cost of the buses is estimated at $3.82 million, including the cost of purchasing the vehicles, accessories, and infrastructure, and charging stations. The agency is planning to order the buses in 2018 and put them into service by 2020.

“We know that public transportation plays a key role in curbing greenhouse emissions, a crucial step in combating climate change. Electric buses help us make that step in a significant way,” Congressman Mike Thompson said in a statement.

The City of Fairfield will receive $1.2 million in grants to purchase all-electric, zero-emission Proterra 35’ Catalyst E2 buses and supporting charging infrastructure as part of their Alternative Fuels and Fleet Replacement policy, which focuses on transitioning to an all-electric fleet.

The grants are being processed through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Low or No-Emission Vehicle Competitive Program, which provides funding to state and local governments for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, as well as acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities. The federal program awards $55 million annually.

Show Comment