Clean Bus Planning Awards Support Fleet Electrification With Custom Transition Plans

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Transit and faculty bus fleets throughout the nation are working arduous to include clear transportation options that assist communities meet decarbonization targets and enhance native well being outcomes. Nevertheless, planning for and deploying zero-emission fleets is a tall order, leaving many fleet managers with extra questions than solutions.

To assist resolve the issue, the Nationwide Renewable Power Laboratory (NREL) introduced the $5 million Clean Bus Planning Awards (CBPA) program on February 20, which is funded by the Joint Workplace of Power and Transportation (Joint Workplace).

Managed by NREL, the CBPA program supplies free technical help to create complete and customised bus electrification plans for varsity and transit fleets throughout america by Fiscal 12 months 2024.

“The CBPA program meets fleets wherever they’re at within the planning course of and helps make the overwhelming activity of electrification possible by offering plans which are tailor-made to the distinctive wants and necessities of every fleet,” mentioned NREL’s Abby Brown, senior researcher and Joint Workplace technical help lead.

The electrification course of could be a multiyear mission for fleets, together with in-depth feasibility research of expertise and financing choices, a staggered introduction of buses and infrastructure upgrades, and continued efficiency evaluation to make sure a easy and reasonably priced transition. The method may be intimidating for managers who lack assist and sources. That’s the place the CBPA program is available in.

“CBPA leverages federal funding to deal with essentially the most difficult facets of a fleet’s electrification transition and supplies direct assist to those that want it most,” added Mike Jones, CBPA program lead.

The applying interval for help and planning is now open on a rolling foundation, giving fleet managers a chance to totally perceive their wants earlier than making use of for assist.

This new program will facilitate electrification by serving to managers create step-by-step plans to transition to zero-emission buses. The CBPA program additionally provides non-compulsory fleet deployment help that fills the hole between planning and implementation. Collaborating transit and faculty bus fleets may even be higher ready to use for grants akin to these from the Environmental Safety Company’s Clear College Bus Program and the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission Grant Program, which assist pay for the electrification course of.

Study extra about NREL’s sustainable transportation and mobility analysis and the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. And join NREL’s quarterly transportation and mobility analysis publication, Sustainable Mobility Matters, to remain present on the most recent information.

Courtesy of National Renewable Energy Laboratory. By Christin Jeffers