CALSTART Releases 2024 Zero-Emission Bus (ZEB) Inventory Report

CALSTART has announced the release of this year’s Zeroing in on ZEBs, an annual report funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The report provides an updated index of newly adopted transit ZEBs that have been funded, ordered, delivered, and/or deployed within the United States and Canada, according to data collected through September 2023 by local, state, and federal sources. The data shows the two countries’ progress toward 100-percent zero-emission vehicle adoption.

United States — The report shows the number of full-size transit ZEBs (defined as Class 7 or 8 transit buses that are 30 or more feet in length) has grown to 6,147 as of September 2023. That is an increase of 12 percent from the previous count and includes more than 100 new fleets adopting ZEBs for the first time. Additionally, the U.S. findings declare that:

• California continues to lead the way with the most adopted ZEBs in the country — a count of 1,946 — and accounts for 32 percent of all ZEBs nationwide;
• New York (742), Florida (464), Washington (214), and Texas (209) are behind California with the most ZEBs adopted. New York had the largest increase in the number of ZEBs, adding 250 ZEBs to its transit fleets in 2023. Many other states, like Illinois, saw considerable gains; and,
• While battery-electric buses (BEBs) remain the dominant ZEB type, fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs) saw more than 75 percent growth, with 13 states reporting FCEBs among their transit fleets.

“The FTA’s Low-No Program continues to be the main source of federal funding for ZEBs in the country and supports U.S. transit fleets in their transition to non-polluting, energy-efficient vehicles,” according to a press release. “Funding sources like this as well as state incentive programs — including New York’s Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP) and California’s Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) — and policies signed by the President such as the Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles, are vital in accelerating the adoption of ZEBs across the country.”

 Canada — Like the United States, ZEB adoptions in Canada grew thanks to zero-emission funding opportunities and policy efforts. In 2020, $1.5 billion CAD was made available to support the adoption of ZEBs and supporting infrastructure. As of September 2023, Canada saw growth of approximately 12 percent from the previous count, and now has a total of 976 ZEBs. Additionally, the country boasts:

• Significant growth of ZEBs across 8 of the 10 Canadian providences, up from 7, stretching from British Columbia to Québec and Nova Scotia;
• Of the total ZEBs counted, 938 are BEBs and 38 are FCEBs;
• Ontario continues to lead the country with the total adoption of ZEBs (594). Manitoba (94), Alberta (81), Québec (74), and Nova Scotia (60) are behind the providence of Ontario;
• The government of Quebec announced plans to add 1,229 ZEBs to its fleet at a cost greater than $1.8 billion CAD; and,
• BC Transit announced it is receiving $395.5 million CAD for the purchase of more than 100 BEBs and more than 130 charging ports to support their fleet.

“The United States and Canada continue to see positive growth in the total number of ZEBs because of increased funding, supportive policies, and available incentive opportunities,” CALSTART National Transit Bus Program Manager Mike Hynes said. “The report’s findings prove that zero-emission transport continues to be a priority for transit agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect public health.”

“A nonprofit organization with offices in New York, Michigan, Colorado, California and Europe, and with partners worldwide, CALSTART works with more than 300 member company and agency innovators to build a prosperous, efficient, and clean high-tech transportation industry,” the release said. Visit CALSTART.