LTD Testing Electric Buses
Lane Transit District is testing three, 40-foot BYD electric buses to determine their maintenance cost, operational efficiency, and comfort. LTD is expected to receive two more electric buses from BYD in the next several weeks.
“Electric buses are expected to lower carbon emissions and green house gases as well as reduce fuel and maintenance costs,” said Mark Johnson, LTD’s assistant general manager. “So far, we are pleased with how the electric buses have performed.”
The first two LTD electric buses went on the road for testing in February and April. Through April, the electric buses have traveled 4,100 miles; saved LTD 949 gallons of diesel fuel, reduced green house gases by 21,785 pounds, and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 21,244 pounds.
If the tests continue to go well, LTD expects to integrate the five electric buses into the fleet in early fall and will order six more electric buses later this summer. The electric buses are paid for in part with grants from the Federal Transit Administration.
LTD operates and maintains a fleet of 60 hybrid and 40 diesel buses. The new electric buses would replace older diesel-fueled buses.