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San Francisco commits to an all-electric bus fleet by 2035

Posted: 23 May 2018 | | No comments yet

Creating a zero-emission fleet for public transportation demonstrates San Francisco’s consideration of the environment and commitment to improving air quality…

all-electric

The city of San Francisco has announced a decision to implement an all-electric bus fleet by 2035.

Mayor Mark Farrell is determined to provide both reliable and sustainable transportation for the city and so from 2025 the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will purchase only all-electric buses to meet the 2035 target.

The all-electric fleet will use zero fuel and rely solely on the battery within the operating system.

The SFMTA has begun deploying new electric hybrid buses with higher capacity on-board battery systems. The increased on-board battery capacity allows the SFMTA to run a test programme to operate ‘Green Zones’ along several electric hybrid routes that would run only by battery for significant portions of the route. The ‘Green Zone’ signifies an area in which the vehicle will not produce any emissions and the SFMTA is working to identify these zones throughout the city.

In 2019, a limited number of zero-emission battery electric buses to test within San Francisco will be purchased. The most crucial step to support the zero-emission goal is to determine the infrastructure required for electric buses, including upgrades to our existing facilities, charging requirements and maintenance.

The San Francisco operator, Muni, currently operates the largest fleet of zero-emissions electric trolley buses. Trolley buses, like all light rail, streetcar and cable car vehicles, run on 100 per cent greenhouse gas-free Hetch Hetchy electricity via overhead wires. Muni also runs a fleet of low emissions electric hybrid vehicles. The electric hybrid vehicles run on battery, as well as clean, renewable diesel. Over 50 per cent of the transit fleet, including light rail, cable cars, historic streetcars and electric trolley buses are largely powered by greenhouse gas-free hydropower generated by Hetch Hetchy.