The city of Phoenix this month introduced hybrid-electric buses to its public transit system.
The city is working toward a goal of having a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2040. The 19 new hybrid-electric buses are the first to hit the streets as the city begins phasing out its 500 traditional gas and diesel models.
“They run on biodiesel, but they have an electric motor, so they have that higher fuel economy, they pollute less, they drive a little bit more quietly,” said Brenda Yanez, a spokesperson for Phoenix’s Public Transit Department.
Yanez said the city also plans to start adding all electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses to the fleet starting next year.
“We are trying to do our part for a more sustainable city, for less pollution, a better future for our riders and of course, the entire Valley,” Yanez said. “This is a pretty big step in that direction.”
The Phoenix City Council in 2022 unanimously approved the plan to transition the city’s bus fleet to zero-emission models.
Yanez said the majority of the funding for the new buses comes from a federal grant from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law.
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