Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planned electric buses replaced by hybrids after grant rule change, staff says
Summary
Staff told commissioners that a grant the city planned to use for electric buses no longer supports electric vehicles; the city will acquire hybrids under the current funding but remains committed to electrifying the fleet over time, and staff highlighted DC fast‑charger reuse opportunities.
Sarah Gardner told the commission that the specific grant the city had intended to use would not support electric buses at this time, forcing a near‑term change to hybrid vehicles. "Under the current administration, the no low emissions grant we got, we heard, literally the day we went to place the order for the buses that it will no longer support electric buses. Hybrids were deemed to be the next best option," Gardner said, adding that the city still sees value in electrification for future purchases.
Staff described operational workarounds, including using existing DC fast chargers (installed for electric buses) to support other vehicles in the municipal fleet and exploring smaller alternate‑response vehicles for some calls. Commissioners asked whether plug‑in hybrids or regenerative hybrids would be purchased; staff confirmed the vehicles are conventional hybrids rather than plug‑in models.
