The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) is taking the lead as local government across the region continue their attempts to shift to “zero-emission” bus fleets, or ZEBs
The commission’s strategies include actions that already are underway, such as facilitating a ZEB working group and educating staff and local elected officials on ZEB advancements. The plan also identifies the “quick wins” that staff say can begin in 2024 and build from in the coming years.
“Transitioning Northern Virginia’s local bus fleets away from fossil fuels will have multiple benefits for the region,” said Matt de Ferranti, an Arlington County Board member and 2024 chairman of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. “However, we also know it’s a massive undertaking that requires deep understanding of all the needs and challenges ahead for our transit agencies.”
Among those challenges:
• ZEBs typically cost more than $1 million per bus and require new charging or fueling infrastructure.
• Current electric buses cannot replace diesel buses on a one-for-one basis for all routes, due to their shorter ranges.
• Grid capacity for electric buses and hydrogen supply for hydrogen-powered vehicles remain a work in progress.
• ZEBs require new skills for the transit workforce.
For information on the regional initiative, see the Website at bit.ly/3tLxJFg.
