In late January, Capital Metro took the first step toward moving to a completely low-emissions fleet, with the launch of its first two electric buses. Eventually, the agency aims to replace its entire fleet (that’s 423 buses!) with electric vehicles.
The rest of the current fleet won’t be replaced overnight, but the agency is taking steps in the right direction, with plans to purchase 80 electric buses by 2024. Last April, Cap Metro’s board of directors approved the purchase of the first 10, thanks in part to two grants they received in 2019: a “Low or No Emissions” grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, and a $1.5 million grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
The electric vehicles will replace aging diesel buses at the cost of around $1 million per bus. They take anywhere from three to six hours to charge and can travel up to 175 miles per charge. The two inaugural buses are recognizable by their wraps, which feature artwork from students at AISD’s Lewis Campbell Elementary Media and Performing Arts Institute.