Proterra has been selected by the California Department of General Services as a vendor to supply battery-electric buses and charging systems for the statewide contract. The company, along with other manufacturers, underwent a review process by the state of California and was chosen among a pool of providers to help streamline local transit agencies’ access to the vendor and vehicle that best meet their specific transit system needs.
Now transit agencies and other institutions can purchase Proterra battery-electric buses and charging systems through the state’s pre-established contract. Further, transit agencies and other institutions outside of California can leverage the California statewide contract to simplify the process of purchasing electric buses.
Procurement of electric buses, charging systems, and associated electric bus infrastructure are eligible projects under this program, as well as leasing electric buses and/or batteries.
The deadline to submit proposals for awards is January 16, 2020.
Further, Governor Gavin Newsom also recently signed Assembly Bill 784 which allows zero-emission buses purchased in California to be exempt from state sales tax until January 1, 2024.
Additionally, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has announced that the application period is now open for Volkswagen Mitigation Trust funding under the Zero-Emission Transit, School and Shuttle Bus Project, which provides funding for new zero-emission replacement buses.
A total of $130 million is available in California from the VW Mitigation Trust for zero-emission buses, with $65 million open in this first round of funding.
Applications will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis, and eligible applicants are owners of transit buses, school buses and shuttle buses.
Proterra battery-electric transit buses and Proterra Powered electric school buses are eligible for funding, with up to $180,000 available per transit bus and up to $400,000 available per school bus.
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.
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.
Even amid shifts in federal funding, California continues to advance its zero-emission agenda, enforcing and funding its regulatory framework despite federal obstacles.
Mountain Line selected BetterFleet’s charge-management and fleet-operations platform to support its nearly all-electric bus fleet and future electrification plans.
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.
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.
The introduction of hydrogen fuel cell buses represents a significant step forward in reducing emissions while maintaining reliable, high-quality transit service.
