PORTLAND, Ore. — An even greener way to use public transportation coming to Oregon.
Starting Wednesday TriMet’s first all-electric bus will hit the streets. Officials unveiled the first two buses Tuesday.
Every time you use public transportation rather than hopping in a car, you're helping to reduce carbon emissions. Now, that ridership can go even greener with the 100 buses powered by 100 percent wind energy.
TriMet believes this to be a transit industry first in the U.S.
“This is an example of us going electric, getting out of diesel and by 2040 or before we’re going to have the whole fleet converted,” Doug Kelsey, TriMet General Manager said. “We’re growing from over 600 buses to over 900."
The move was made possible through a partnership with Portland General Electric (PGE).
“We are proud to support TriMet’s work to electrify transportation across our region,” Maria Pope, PGE president and CEO, said. “Powered by wind, this all-electric bus line is a sustainable transportation option for the community and another step closer to a clean energy future for Oregon.”
The first two all-electric buses go into service Wednesday. TriMet will ramp up to about 80 buses powered by renewable wind energy over the next five to six years.
“As a mom raising young kids in Portland I care deeply about what's in our air and the state of our climate,” Climate Solutions Oregon Director Meredith Connolly said. “Every bus we put into service means fewer people are driving cars on our roads. And every electric bus that we put into service means no diesel pollution in our air.”
For riders, it’s a noticeable difference from the fumes and loud noises that come from traditional diesel buses.
“They don't need to smell diesel fuel,” Nicholson, Vice President of Technical Services for PGE Bill said. “It's a smooth clean ride and they can be assured that they're part of the transition to a cleaner economy.”
The buses reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 100 to 140 tons per year compared to a 40-foot diesel bus and about 75 tons per year compared to TriMet’s diesel-hybrid buses. It is the first step to a green bus fleet by 2040.
“We're laying that infrastructure out for well over a billion dollars in this big transformation project. So, it's a cleaner environment. It's part of our protecting this great community that we live in,” Kelsey said.
These buses have electric motors powered by energy stored in rechargeable battery packs instead of combustion engines fueled by diesel.
TriMet’s first five battery-electric buses come thanks to a $3.4 million federal grant, plus an innovative partnership with PGE.
That grant from the Federal Transit Administration Low and No Emission Vehicle Deployment program initially paid for four buses. PGE will own and maintain the electric charging equipment.
TriMet plans to purchase up to another 80 electric buses over the next five to six years with $53 million in funds generated by the Keep Oregon Moving Act.
The first zero-emission buses will run in predominately low-income and minority communities.
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