VICTORVILLE - Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA) has unveiled its first zero-emission electric buses.

For years, the VVTA fleet has been powered by clean compressed natural gas, but California Air Resources Board regulations are requiring transit agencies to shift to electric buses.

VVTA Executive Director Kevin Kane noted these buses are the first battery electric transit buses for San Bernardino County.

Battery electric buses are one-and-a-half times as expensive as a standard bus. But VVTA was able to secure vouchers that saved taxpayers $152,000 for each of the seven electric buses. Southern California Edison installed all the needed infrastructure to bring power to charging stations, saving VVTA approximately $1.4 million.

VVTA estimates the electric buses will have a maximum range of 160 miles. But VVTA staff is investigating the possibility of introducing hydrogen powered buses which will provide a range of approximately 275 to 300 miles, according to the High Desert Daily.

Story Date: October 9, 2019