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.

“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.