Q&A: The Current State and Future of Zero-Emissions Buses

Amanda DeGiorgi joined HNTB as a program manager in the firm’s Boston office in January 2023 and currently serves as sr. director, zero emissions fleet and facilities.

DeGiorgi’s background includes expertise in transit infrastructure and vehicles planning, design, and operations. Before joining HNTB, she was at another engineering firm, where she began working with the MBTA in 2015. Her resume includes the MBTA’s Bus Facility Modernization Program, Transit Asset Management Improvement Plan and Facility Condition Assessments, and Green Line Transit Signal Priority Implementation, as well as the Mattapan High-Speed Line Due Diligence and Initial Options Study.

Her transit expertise has been tapped by the Federal Transit Administration to develop its Transit Asset Management Systems Handbook and by Orlando, Fla.’s SunRail; Norfolk, Va.’s Hampton Roads Transit; and Seattle’s King County Metro.

DeGiorgi spoke to METRO about the state of zero emission buses in public transit, including hurdles in implementation, the recent supply issues, the growth of hydrogen, and much more.

As zero-emission bus usage continues to grow, what have been some of the recent hurdles in implementation?

The transportation industry is in the midst of a quantum leap as it shifts to deliver transit service with zero-emission buses (ZEBs). Key considerations throughout this transition include:

• Procurement of Buses: Transit providers must develop strategic plans for the procurement of buses. With limited transit bus manufacturers and ZEB models in the U.S. marketplace, transit providers should look to refine their ZEB procurement requirements and transition them more from design to performance-based specifications that result in efficient, reliable, and safe service.

• New or Upgraded Infrastructure: From new charging infrastructure to a shift from predominantly mechanical to high-voltage and electronic systems, there are numerous facility, equipment, and general infrastructure changes required to transition to ZEBs. Transit providers are facing significant investments, whether for land, power and microgrids, hydrogen fuel, new or retrofitted maintenance facilities, or chargers. Safety upgrades alone can require major modifications to address fire protection concerns, flammable gas detection, or an increase in roof equipment access requiring fall protection systems.

• Aligned Operations and Performance: ZEBs, particularly battery-electric buses (BEBs), have differing ranges that require transit providers to realign their operations and performance plans throughout this transition. While technology and hydrogen fuel availability or generation will likely continue to improve, each transit provider needs to identify a low risk starting point to establish real-world performance of ZEBs in their unique geography, utilities market, climate, service system, and customer population.   

• Evolving Skill Sets: With the ZEB transition, the transit workforce is expanding its knowledge to include new technologies, vehicles, and infrastructure. And the workforce is rising to the challenge. There is increasing demand for skill sets to support the unique needs of a ZEB operation, with some extraordinary success stories of homegrown training programs and development opportunities. A collaborative industry can accelerate lessons learned and best practices across the country, helping agencies develop the skills required of a ZEB fleet.

What can consultants like HNTB do to help agencies negotiate those hurdles?

The transition to ZEBs is an enterprise-wide effort for agencies, requiring collaboration between almost all departments. Industry partners can collaborate with agencies to share access to a wide range of resources with in-depth knowledge to complement that of the agencies. From bus operations experts and maintenance facility designers to strategic planners and asset managers, the industry can work together to provide solutions to navigate the ZEB transition efficiently.

How much of an issue does the scarcity of bus suppliers impact the possible growth of ZEBs and what are some keys in your mind that can help alleviate the strain on both the suppliers and agencies?

The Federal Transit Administration has partnered with the American Public Transportation Association and other industry stakeholders to present immediate actions to bolster competitiveness and stability in the U.S. bus manufacturing sector to help meet market demand, climate goals, and equity objectives for ZEBs.

We are hopeful there will continue to be expansion in ZEB manufacturing, as the need and business opportunity is undoubtedly great. Meanwhile, HNTB is partnering with transit providers to help refine ZEB procurement requirements. We also are dedicated to bridging our trusted relationships with both vehicle suppliers and transit providers to ensure transit needs are met.

Hydrogen is garnering a ton of interest. What are some reasons for the industry’s interest and how do quickly do you think hydrogen usage can take hold here in the U.S.?

Initially, there were concerns about the higher upfront capital cost and fueling challenges of hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs), but there is increasing curiosity from transit providers around whether or not hydrogen could answer their ZEB range concerns, as FCEBs can sometimes have more than double the range of BEBs. However, with only one U.S. manufacturer of FCEBs, the rate of adoption of hydrogen buses will depend heavily on whether more manufacturers enter the market, as well as whether transit providers find hydrogen fuel supply or generation costs to be competitive in their regions.

Big picture, what do you think the ZEB picture looks like in both the short- and long-term future?

The future of ZEBs is exciting — and learning is happening at a rapid pace. As we work together as an industry, we are quickly identifying innovative solutions. As an industry partner, we are looking forward to seeing cities and agencies across the country connect with one another to share best practices. This will lead to long-term success with an industry that is providing consistent, reliable, efficient, safe, and sustainable transit nationwide.