Summary - Clean Buses East 2024

Zero emission buses are witnessing a surge in demand, driven by bold targets, strong policies and regulations, and funding support.

The US administration aims to transition to a 100 percent clean, ZEB fleet by replacing 50,000 diesel transit vehicles to achieve the climate goal of net zero by 2050. Currently, a little more than 5,500 full-size ZEBs are operating across the country. To achieve the target, regulations have been set and Federal funding is being made available through various programs including the Low-No Grants, the Bus and Bus Facilities Grants, the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), and the Clean School Bus Program. Many state-level policies, introduced in the past few years, have also contributed to the growth in demand for ZEBs.

As transit agencies and operators expand ZEB fleets, there are several challenges that need to be resolved. These pertain to drafting an optimal strategy for ZEB deployment, setting up of charging and fueling infrastructure, developing successful partnerships with utilities, performance of ZEBs in extreme weather conditions, overcoming range anxiety, training and upskilling workforce, prioritizing equity and inclusivity, and so on. Moreover, supply has been slow to meet the increasing demand.

Despite these real challenges, transit agencies are determined to transition to a zero emission future. The industry is also making concerted efforts to step up supply, improve technology, spread awareness and provide training. These initiatives coupled with the government's clear vision to transition to a clean fleet are expected to lead to a significant growth in ZEB deployment in the US.

To discuss these developments, challenges and opportunities, Global Mass Transit is organizing its second conference on “Clean Buses - East”, on June 25-26, 2024 at The Westin Washington, DC Downtown.

The previous edition of Clean Buses - East conference, held on June 27-28, 2023 at Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel, was very successful and was attended by participants from over 90 organizations. The key participating organizations included: 3Degrees Group, ABB E-mobility, Inc., AECOM, AIAI, Alexandria Transit Company (DASH), Allison Transmission, Inc., AlphaStruxure, Amalgamated Transit Union, Ameresco, Inc., Arlington County, Ballard Power Systems, Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE), BTR Energy, Inc., Burns Engineering, BYD, C3M Power Systems LLC, Campbell Solar, Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority, Centro, ChargePoint, Complete Coach Works, Concord Kannapolis Area Transit, Con Edison, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), David Evans and Associates, Department of Public Works & Transportation, District Department of Transportation, ElDorado National-California, Inc. (ENC), Enel X North America, ERG, Evans Consulting, Exelon, Fairfax County Department of Transportation, GKN Hydrogen, GoTriangle, Heliox, Highland Electric Fleets, Hoke Area Transit Service, IndyGo, INF Associates LLC, JMA Solutions, Kiewit / Mass. Electric Construction Co., King County Metro, Liberty Lines Transit Inc., Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDO MTA), Maven Asset Management, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG), Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc., Monroe Regional Transit Service, Montachusett Regional Transit Authority, Montgomery County Govt, Maryland, MV Transit, National Grid, National Propane Gas Association, New York City Transit Division of Buses, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NY MTA), New York State Department of Public Service, Nova Bus US, Omni Strategy, LLC, ONE | Our Next Energy, Inc., Parsons Corporation, Paul Revere Transportation, PEPCO, Plenary Americas, Pittsburgh Regional Transit, Plugin Stations Online LLC, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Prince George's County, Maryland, PSEG, Region Clean Cities Coalition, Sam Schwartz, Schneider Electric, SFMTA Sustainable Streets Division - Capital Programs & Construction, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Southwire Company, Steel Valley Regional Transit Authority, SunLine Transit Agency, Tenneco Systems Protection, Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA), Transdev North America, Trillium, TriMet, U.S. Department of Energy - Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Technologies Office, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. General Services Administration, Utility Partners of America (UPA), Voith, WiTricity, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Washington Suburban Transit Commission, WGL, World Resources Institute, WSP, etc.

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 targeted 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.

Role of zero emission buses in journey to net-zero
Federal initiatives in promoting zero emission buses
Transitioning to zero-emission buses: Strategies, policies, case studies, experience so far and best practices
Plans of cities in the US for the deployment of clean buses
Opportunities available for suppliers of clean buses
Progress in the deployment of zero emission buses
Total cost of ownership of zero emission buses
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 of grid capacity
Transit agency and utility partnerships
Hydrogen refuelling stations and infrastructure
Economics and business model
Planning for, scheduling of and monitoring clean buses
Clean School Bus Program
Clean buses for long-distance operations
Economics and business models
Autonomous and electric bus trials
Opportunity for digitalisation
Integration of zero-emission fleet with new mobility (MaaS and AVs)
Sourcing green energy
Workforce training
Overcoming challenges of equity and inclusion