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

  • Get bus orders CNG buses from New Flyer
    November 27, 2017
    Golden Empire Transit District (GET bus) has awarded transit bus and motor coach manufacturer New Flyer of America with a contract for 24 Xcelsior compressed natural gas transit buses. The order supports Get Bus’s focus on environmental sustainability. This new contract for the forty-foot, heavy duty transit buses also supports plans for aged fleet replacement. Wayne Joseph, president of New Flyer of America, said: "We are proud to help advance Get bus in its pursuit of fleet revitalization and
    Read More
  • 20 cities challenge relaxation of EU air pollution standards
    May 6, 2016
    Ordered to cut air pollution levels by Brussels, a group of EU cities are taking the European Commission to court over its decision to relax car emissions standards, making their objectives even less attainable, according to EurActiv France. The EU’s muddled position on air pollution has angered the bloc’s major cities. For Paris, Madrid and Copenhagen, the EU’s decision to give carmakers more freedom to pollute is unacceptable. But since it was discreetly added to the Official Journal of the European Unio
    Read More
  • Funding boost for London’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure
    August 4, 2017
    Transport for London (TfL), London Councils and the Greater London Authority (GLA) have announced funding of almost US$6 million (£4.5 million) to London boroughs to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure on London’s streets. A total of 25 boroughs, each receiving up to US$394,000 (£300,000), will install up to 1,500 standard-speed on-street charging points in residential areas, as part of Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s long-term vision for zero-carbon transport in the Capital another step closer.
    Read More
  • New York’s Transit Tech Lab launched for 2025
    January 17, 2025
    Annual competition aims to improve public transit in city’s metropolitan area
    Read More

Highlighted Content