Electric buses driving greater Seattle region toward clean-energy future

The greater Seattle region is charged up about the future of electric buses. At the state and local levels, governments and transit agencies are purchasing more electric buses.

The Washington Department of Ecology recently provided $13.3 million to help local transit agencies buy 50 zero-emission, battery-powered electric buses. Similar funding previously funded transit agencies’ purchases of 19 electric buses.
 
“This is a transformational investment in our clean energy future and continues to push Washington toward zero-emission transportation technology,” said Washington State Governor Jay Inslee.
 
Transit agencies in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties will receive up to $300,000 per bus from the State. Transit agencies can also use some of the funding to pay for charging stations.
 
The 50 new buses will eliminate 68,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and cut nitrogen oxide emissions by 70 tons over the lifetime of the vehicles.

King County Metro transit services currently operates four battery-electric buses as part of its fleet. The agency’s data indicates that just those four buses have reduced carbon emissions by 1.22 million pounds in just over three years.

Electric bus manufacturers and suppliers who want to know more about opportunities in the greater Seattle region may contact Melinda Goforth at Greater Seattle Partners.

Click here for the business case for EVs in greater Seattle.