METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

California’s AVTA Becomes 1st North American Transit Agency to Hit 100% Electric Goal

AVTA received its 20th electric MCI coach for their commuter routes. The addition of these buses to AVTA’s fleet of BYD zero-emission buses, enables the agency to place into service a 100% zero-emission transit fleet.

by Staff
March 17, 2022
California’s AVTA Becomes 1st North American Transit Agency to Hit 100% Electric Goal

AVTA was joined by CARB and local officials at an event to celebrate its electric bus milestone.

Credit:

AVTA

2 min to read


Calif.’s Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) board, along with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), hosted a celebration recognizing AVTA for becoming the first all-electric transit agency in North America.

AVTA received its 20th electric MCI coach for their commuter routes. The addition of these buses to AVTA’s fleet of BYD zero-emission buses, enables the agency to place into service a 100% zero-emission transit fleet.

Ad Loading...

“Long before we saw an electric bus rolling down the streets of the Antelope Valley, the AVTA Board envisioned a future with a greener and technologically superior transit system serving the citizens of Lancaster, Palmdale, and the rural northern Los Angeles County communities,” said AVTA Chairman of the Board Marvin Crist. “The board cast a vision and the AVTA staff, working together with BYD and many other electric vehicle and system providers, brought that vision to life.”

AVTA’s 100% electric zero-emission transit fleet consists of:

  • 57 BYD zero-emission buses

  • 10 GreenPower EV Star Microtransit vans

  • 20 MCI battery-electric commuter coaches

Portions of this fleet were purchased with the help of state funding, including $28.5 million from the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program administered by Caltrans and the California State Transportation Agency. The funds were provided by California Climate Initiatives a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.

More Zero Emissions

Cover Photo for Bus Tech Talk
ManagementApril 9, 2026

Bus Tech Talk: AC Transit’s Cecil Blandon on Leadership, Mentorship, and a Career in Transit

In Part 1, Blandon shares his journey from the U.S. Marines to a leadership role in public transit, along with insights on mentorship and professional growth within the industry.

Read More →
Opening art for Sustabinability Partners Q&A
Zero Emissionsby Alex RomanMarch 25, 2026

Inside EVaaS: A New Model for Airport Fleet Electrification

Sustainability Partners’ Arnold Albiar discusses how a service-based approach is helping airports and public agencies deploy and manage electric fleets more efficiently.

Read More →
Rows of MTA's Long Island Railroad (LIRR) commuter rail cars.

New York Awards $4.5M for Zero-Emission Microtransit and Bike Access Projects

NYSERDA funding will support electric microtransit and secure bike storage to improve first- and last-mile connections across downstate New York.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Cover photo for METROspectives with The Bus Coalition
Busby Alex RomanMarch 13, 2026

Inside The Bus Coalition’s Push for Stronger Federal Transit Investment

In this conversation, TBC’s Executive Director Ed Redfern, President Corey Aldridge, and Washington Representative Joel Rubin outline the coalition’s key policy priorities, the challenges facing transit agencies, and how industry stakeholders can work together to strengthen the voice of bus transit at the federal level.

Read More →
A SunLine clean air bus at a stop.
Zero Emissionsby Alex RomanMarch 10, 2026

U.S. Zero-Emission Bus Adoption Surpasses 8,000 Vehicles

CALSTART’s latest Zeroing in on ZEBs report shows continued nationwide growth despite supply-chain challenges. The group’s Deputy Director of Transit, Mike Hynes, talked to METRO about how agencies are adapting procurement strategies, fleet plans, and more.

Read More →
An LA Metro clean air articulated bus
Zero EmissionsMarch 9, 2026

California’s Push Against Federal Headwinds to Reach 100% Zero-Emission Transit Goals

Even amid shifts in federal funding, California continues to advance its zero-emission agenda, enforcing and funding its regulatory framework despite federal obstacles.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A Mountain Line bus
Zero Emissionsby Alex RomanMarch 4, 2026

BetterFleet’s Dan Hilson on the Mountain Line Contract and Intelligent Charge Management

Mountain Line selected BetterFleet’s charge-management and fleet-operations platform to support its nearly all-electric bus fleet and future electrification plans.

Read More →
A white Chesco Connect paratransit bus parked outside.
Zero Emissionsby Elora HaynesFebruary 9, 2026

Why Chester County Chose Propane To Power Its Demand-Response Transit Fleet

See how the county’s Chesco Connect system is replacing its buses with propane autogas to cut costs, reduce emissions, and support high-demand paratransit operations.

Read More →
King County Metro electric buses made by GILLIG.
Busby StaffJanuary 30, 2026

Seattle's King County Metro Introduces New Battery-Electric Buses

Rolling out in electric yellow and seafoam blue, the first battery-electric buses purchased from GILLIG will begin serving riders in south King County on February 2.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A black, white, and light purple graphic with an image of a BAE Systems hybrid electric bus and text reading "Re-Examining Hybrid Buses in Transit."
Zero Emissionsby Elora HaynesJanuary 19, 2026

Why Some Transit Agencies Are Re-Examining Hybrid Buses

As zero-emission goals advance, hybrid buses remain part of fleet strategies, offering reliability and operational flexibility.

Read More →