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Santa Barbara MTD adopts goal for 100% zero-emission fleet by 2030

MTD operates the second-largest active electric bus fleet in California with 14 fully battery-electric buses out of a total fleet of 112.

November 26, 2018
Santa Barbara MTD adopts goal for 100% zero-emission fleet by 2030

Santa Barbara MTD’s Board of Directors has adopted a goal of a 100% zero-emissions fleet by the year 2030.

1 min to read


Santa Barbara MTD’s Board of Directors has adopted a goal of a 100% zero-emissions fleet by the year 2030.

Santa Barbara MTD’s Board of Directors has adopted a goal of a 100% zero-emissions fleet by the year 2030.

Santa Barbara MTD has long been a forerunner in the battery-electric bus space, having run the first electric bus fleet in the U.S. back in 1991, according to agency officials. MTD still boasts the second-largest active electric bus fleet in California with 14 fully battery-electric buses out of a total fleet of 112.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is expected to adopt new Innovative Clean Transit Standards in 2019, mandating phased future purchasing of buses for California transit operators be zero-emission. The 2030 goal adopted by the MTD would meet those requirements on a faster schedule.

“We salute the MTD board for adopting a 100% electric bus goal. Diesel pollution causes cancer, asthma and contributes to climate change. It is particularly important to show a commitment to carbon-free transportation now as California grapples with a year-round fire season driven by climate change,” said Katie Davis, Sierra Club Santa Barbara Group Chair.

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