A study by the Union of Concerned Scientists (www.ucsusa.org), found that on average, electric buses are responsible for far fewer carbon emissions than their diesel-powered counterparts. The study found that on average, electric buses produce less than half of the harmful emissions than those of buses powered by diesel or natural gas.
The growing demand for buses powered by electricity is beneficial for organizations such as Complete Coach Works (CCW), a bus remanufacturing company based in Riverside, Calif. CCW’s eco-friendly option, known as ZEPS (Zero Emissions Propulsion System), was designed to help clients meet the goals of their green initiatives. Adopting the “reduce, reuse, recycle” philosophy, CCW takes previously used, diesel-powered transit buses and remanufactures them into like-new vehicles containing all-electric drivetrain systems.
Meanwhile, BYD Canada has received an order for zero-emission, battery-electric buses by WESTCOAST Sightseeing—the first tour company in Canada to order clean energy buses, as well as the first to commit to having a 100 percent clean-energy fleet by 2023. The largest private bus operator in Vancouver, WESTCOAST Sightseeing has agreed to work exclusively with BYD on converting its entire fleet of 90 buses, which will include open top buses, double decks, and others. The operation will also work with the city to develop charging infrastructure that will not only benefit WESTCOAST, but many other companies that want to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and climate impact. The buses are expected to improve both air quality and noise levels for the B.C. Region and deliver a reduction in carbon emissions of some 4,500 metric tons of carbon emissions per year based on EPA standards.
