Juneau, Alaska’s Capital Transit is adding seven GILLIG Battery Electric Buses.

Capital Transit was the first agency in Alaska to purchase an electric bus in spring 2021. The seven GILLIG buses will add to their fleet of 18 buses, which are predominantly diesel buses manufactured by GILLIG.

"At GILLIG, we understand that the harsh road conditions and winter weather in places like Juneau, Alaska, and Missoula, Montana, require a level of excellence, durability, and reliability that only comes with years of experience,” said Bill Fay, VP, sales, at GILLIG. “GILLIG buses have served communities like Juneau with our traditional propulsion buses for decades, demonstrating GILLIG's unwavering dedication to quality, reliability, and durability. Our record-breaking, zero-emissions Battery Electric Bus is built on the same proven platform and embodies GILLIG's commitment to quality without compromise."

In December, METRO reported that GILLIG received the highest-ever score for a battery electric bus tested at Altoona, with a total score of 89.5, according to the company’s release.

With an overall score of 89.5 out of 100, GILLIG's Battery Electric Bus far exceeded the Altoona minimum standards and passed all pass/fail performance tests, qualifying for purchase with federal funding. Performing beyond Altoona's requirements, GILLIG’s 40-foot bus scored exceptionally well in all evaluated categories and broke the previous highest records for reliability and safety performance.

The GILLIG Battery Electric Bus also received the highest score ever in the critical braking test, stopping, on average, over 30 feet — or over two car lengths — earlier than other manufacturers' comparable electric buses, the company reported.

The addition of the GILLIG electric buses will help the City of Juneau meet its greenhouse gas emission goals, which they have pledged to cut by 80% by 2045.