TriMet Buying Four Electric Buses With Multi-Million Grant

That electric feeling you get when you hear the word, "TriMet" is the fact that the transit agency is buying four battery-electric buses with the help of a multi-million dollar grant from the Federal Transit Administration.

TriMet received a $3.4 million grant as part of the agency's Low and No Emission Vehicle Deployment Program. The money will go to purchase four New Flyer XE40 Xcelsior 40-foot long battery-electric buses.

The agency will also purchase depot and on-route charging infrastructure - all paid for by the federal grant.

"This is a terrific opportunity to bring the next generation of environmentally-friendly vehicles to TriMet," said TriMet general manager Neil McFarlane.

“We’re looking forward to testing these vehicles to see how they perform, and if it makes sense to add more of these electric buses to our fleet.”

Senator Jeff Merkley, who helped TriMet secure the grant, said electric vehicles are increasingly important in a world dealing with climate change.

"Climate change is an enormous threat," Merkley said, "And it's already beginning to impact our communities here in Oregon. As we aim for a carbon free future, electric vehicles -including buses - will be a huge part of that transition."

The new buses are expected to be operational in 2018. The buses would be deployed on a test basis on routes that match their charging requirements to determine whether further expansion of the electric fleet is cost-effective and meets customer service requirements.