FLAGSTAFF, AZ – Mountain Line, a public transit system in Flagstaff, Arizona, has unveiled its first fully electric buses, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards a zero-emission fleet. The electric buses have already hit the streets of Flagstaff and are expected to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions by 68%.
The new buses are equipped with a 444 kilowatt-hour battery that provides a range of about 100-130 miles per charge, making them ideal for the city’s transit network. Furthermore, the buses have powerful acceleration and regenerative braking, which allows the battery to be recharged while slowing the bus down.
Mountain Line began its journey towards a zero-emission fleet in 2008 when Flagstaff voters approved a proposition to fund the purchase of electric buses. The company has since transitioned to a 100% hybrid-electric fleet and is now well on its way to a fully electric fleet.
Mountain Line’s Ambitious Goal
Mountain Line CEO Heather Dalmolin revealed that the company’s ultimate goal is to fully transition to a zero-emission, all-electric fleet. By replacing one hybrid bus with an electric bus, the company can reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 61 tons, which is equivalent to removing 10 passenger cars from the road each year.
The company’s funding strategy involves using local tax dollars to bring in federal grants that require matching contributions. Mountain Line has already received over $82 million in grants from the Federal Transit Authority since 2019 to support its electrification efforts.
APS Partnership for Clean Energy
Mountain Line’s partner Arizona Public Service (APS) sees the new electric buses as an opportunity to gather data about the implementation of electric vehicle infrastructure around the state. The partnership will provide APS with bus and battery performance data, which will allow the utility provider to shape policy and develop programs for fleet electrification in the public transit sector across the state.
APS has committed to providing completely carbon-free electricity by 2050, with a goal of reaching 65% clean energy by 2030. The partnership with Mountain Line is a crucial piece of that goal.
