Oakland Airport has taken a step towards its 100% zero-emission goal with its new fleet of battery-electric shuttle buses that'll be transporting travelers and employees to and from parking lots.
A total of five pure battery-powered buses have officially entered service with additional units coming over the next decade. The fleet's still-in-service older buses, which will eventually be replaced, don't run on diesel but rather renewable natural gas (RNG).
The airport's new EV buses come from RIDE which, for those who don't already know, is Chinese vehicle manufacturer BYD's U.S. market spinoff.
[Related: InductEV, ENC expanding wireless EV bus charging in North America]
Along with the buses, five new 180 kW DC fast chargers are also being installed onsite. Load management software, thanks to a partnership with software provider The Mobility House, is being utilized to reduce peak loads, minimize charging costs, and reduce the need for additional and expensive infrastructure upgrades.
Airport officials confirm some of the EV bus program funding comes from a combination of three grant programs:
- Approximately $1.5 million in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) program funding
- $600,000 from the California Air Resources Board Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP)
- Nearly $600,000 from the California Energy Commission Energy Infrastructure Incentives for Zero-Emission Project (EnergIIZE) Project
“We celebrate the introduction of our clean, new electric shuttles here at OAK. We look forward to continuing our path towards an all-electric bus fleet in the coming years,” says Port of Oakland Director of Aviation Craig Simon. “Passengers and employees that utilize the new state-of-the-art buses can enjoy quiet, spacious, comfortable, and modern vehicle interiors without emissions.”
