California to require all bus fleets to be zero-emission by 2040

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has approved a statewide regulation which will require public transit agencies to gradually transition to fully zero emission buses by 2040. The Clean Transit regulation is expected to help transit agencies reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 19 million metric tonnes, nitrogen oxides by 7,000 tonnes and particulate matter by 40 tonnes from 2020 to 2050. CARB says the regulation will improve air quality, especially in low-income communities. It could also help
December 18, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has approved a statewide regulation which will require public transit agencies to gradually transition to fully zero emission buses by 2040.

The Clean Transit regulation is expected to help transit agencies reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 19 million metric tonnes, nitrogen oxides by 7,000 tonnes and particulate matter by 40 tonnes from 2020 to 2050.

CARB says the regulation will improve air quality, especially in low-income communities. It could also help transit agencies save 1.5 billion in maintenance and fuel costs by 2050.

Each transit agency will be required to submit a rollout plan demonstrating how it intends to purchase clean buses, build out the necessary infrastructure and train the required workforce. Larger agencies will have to submit their plans by 2020 while smaller agencies will have until 2023.

Transit agencies will then follow a phased schedule from 2023 until 2029, by which date all annual bus purchases will need to be zero-emission.

Public Funding for the zero-emission buses and related charging infrastructure will be administered by CARB, the California State Transportation Agency, 3879 Caltrans and the 4259 California Energy Commission.

In support of the regulation, the Department of General Services is streamlining bus purchases via a single statewide zero-emission bus purchase contract.

Going forward, CARB will conduct regular reviews with transit agencies to help ensure a successful transition.

The deployment of electric buses is also being explored in the UK. Last month, 4223 RATP Dev announced its plans to upgrade one of its London bus depots to house a fleet of 36 electric buses.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • New York City joins San Francisco and Oakland in greenhouse gas reduction
    December 10, 2015
    In the light of the COP21 Paris Climate Conference, New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio has announced a major initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the city’s large fleet of light duty and heavy duty vehicles. To meet its goals, the initiative relies heavily on new technology diesel engines and bio-based diesel fuels. Following in the footsteps of San Francisco and Oakland, California, New York City is seeking to require the use of renewable diesel fuel. Earlier this year, San Francisco
    Read More
  • Land Transport Authority orders 50 hybrid buses, Singapore
    October 19, 2017
    The Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore has awarded Volvo Buses an order for 50 hybrid buses as part of its efforts to build an environmentally friendly bus fleet that will be rolled out gradually for service by the second half of 2018.
    Read More
  • ITF diagnoses South Asia’s breathing difficulties
    August 26, 2022
    One of the world’s fastest-growing regions faces major transport sector decisions if it is to avoid spiralling emissions problems in coming decades. Alan Dron takes a look at a new report on Asia from the International Transport Forum
    Read More
  • ATN receives $5m to electrify bus fleet 
    March 16, 2021
    California-based transit organisation partners with Amply to build 545kW solar canopy
    Read More

Highlighted Content