Summary - Clean Buses in the US 2022

Deployment of clean buses, in particular zero-emission buses (ZEBs), is in the spotlight in the US. The US administration plans to transition to a 100 percent clean, ZEB fleet by replacing 50,000 diesel transit vehicles to achieve its climate goal net-zero by 2050. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed into law in November 2021, provides USD5.25 billion in funding over five years to the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Low-No program. The program has so far supported the deployment of over 800 ZEBs. Further, funding of USD5 billion has also been extended for the replacement of existing school buses with clean school buses and zero-emission school buses.

As of December 2021, over 3,500 ZEBs have been funded, ordered, delivered or deployed in the US. California is leading the deployment of ZEBs in the country and accounts for a 39 per cent share of the current ZEB fleet. This is driven primarily by its policies and programs that target a 100 per cent ZEB fleet by 2040. Other leading states include Washington, New York and Florida.

Transit agencies have mostly focused on the deployment of battery electric buses, with 95 percent of the current ZEB fleet comprising electric buses. Only a 5 percent share is occupied by fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs). This is due to factors such as the lower cost of procurement of electric buses and charging infrastructure. However, in the coming decade, the demand for hydrogen buses is expected to increase, owing mainly to factors such as faster refueling time and better mileage.

Despite the guidance and funding available and the progress made over the years, transit agencies and operators continue to face multiple challenges while transitioning towards clean-fuel buses, especially ZEBs. There are questions about the most appropriate fuel mix for a city, drafting a strategy for the deployment of clean buses, procuring ZEBs, setting up infrastructure, total cost of ownership (TCO) in a rapidly changing technology environment, and specific risks and challenges for transit agencies and operators. Further, technological challenges continue to impact the performance of ZEBs. These relate to power consumption, energy storage capacity, range, energy efficiency, high grid emissions, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning. And finally, more effort and resources need to be allocated to help smaller fleets overcome barriers to scaling.

That said, the industry’s efforts to improve technology, spread awareness and provide training coupled with the government’s clear vision to transition to a cleaner fleet is expected to lead to a significant growth in ZEB deployments in the US in the next few years. These deployments with a sustained focus on achieving a modal shift towards zero-emission public transport system will not only ensure accomplishment of the climate goals but also enable agencies to overcome challenges of equity and inclusion.

Global Mass Transit is organizing its second conference on “Clean Buses in the US”, on November 9-10, 2022 at InterContinental San Francisco.

The mission of the conference is to discuss the federal government’s plan to transition to a zero-emission bus fleet, the way forward for transit agencies and local governments, the strategy to transition to a clean fleet, relevant experiences, recent developments, best practices, issues with large-scale deployment, and the lessons learned. It will also provide information on procuring, financing, operating, and maintaining clean buses and infrastructure. The conference will also highlight opportunities and technological innovations.

The conference will bring together policymakers, transit agencies, state transport departments, local government officials, OEMs, suppliers of bus components, technology providers, energy providers, charging solution suppliers and battery manufacturers, hydrogen-fueling infrastructure providers, funding agencies, consultants, researchers, and academicians.

The two-day conference will have 11 sessions, panel discussions and case studies, with a wide array of international experts providing valuable insights and actionable advice. It will cover a range of clean buses and solutions. Examples will be provided for large, medium and small transit agencies. The agenda will cover the plans of cities to deploy clean fuel buses, especially zero-emission buses, in the US. It will also highlight the latest technological developments and solutions to improve the customer experience.

The conference will also help understand the role governments, transit agencies, transport operators, manufacturers, and consultants can play in deploying zero-emission buses in a city. Besides, it will provide insights into the offerings of leading manufacturers and suppliers.

There will be a dedicated session on the experiences of leading transit authorities in the deployment of clean buses. This will provide an opportunity to learn how to deploy clean buses and charging/fueling infrastructure, mobilize funding, and manage stakeholder expectations.

Transitioning to zero-emission buses: Strategies, policies, case studies, and best practices
Progress in the deployment of clean buses
Plans of US cities for the deployment of clean buses
Opportunities available for suppliers of clean buses
Total cost of ownership (TCO) of zero-emission buses
Drafting tender documents, selecting suppliers, and developing contracts
Electric bus charging infrastructure: Innovations, new technologies and infrastructure for large-scale fleets
OEM perspective on hydrogen: Launching new technologies, reducing costs, improving efficiency, and commercializing hydrogen
Operations and maintenance of electric buses and hydrogen-fueled buses
Challenges for grid capacity
Transit agency and utility partnerships
Hydrogen refuelling stations and infrastructure
Clean buses for long-distance operations
Clean School Bus Program
Economics and business models
Financing zero-emission buses
Autonomous and electric bus trials
Opportunity for digitalisation
Planning for, and scheduling and monitoring of clean buses
Using data and AI for fleet management
Integration of zero-emission fleet with new mobility (MaaS and AVs)
Sourcing green energy