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Electric Fleet Experiences


Chattanooga Shuttle Buses Run on Electricity

Last Updated: September 21, 2007
Chattanooga, Tennessee, sits between a river and a mountain, and the downtown corridor stretches about two miles north to south and between 6 and 10 blocks east to west. The corridor includes the museum district along the riverfront, the business district, and the main shopping district. The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) was formed as part of a city renaissance program and CARTA decided to switch to electric shuttle buses to transport residents and tourists.

The fleet of 15 22-foot electric shuttle buses run at 5-minute intervals and the ride is free. CARTA transit authorities estimate that the vehicles have covered close to 2 million miles saving an estimated 65 tons of pollutants. CARTA also financed and built parking structures at both ends of the route to intercept automobile traffic before it reached the downtown corridor.

Former Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater acknowledged that Chattanooga's innovations in streamlining the connections between automobiles and transit, and introduction of electric buses and other alternative-fueled vehicles as a major contributor in "reducing traffic congestion, protecting the environment, enhancing mobility and revitalizing communities." For more information, contact CARTA.

New Haven Commuters Take the Trolley

Last Updated: August 22, 2007
In June 2002, the Greater New Haven Transit District (GNHTD) in Connecticut began operating four Ebus -22-foot, fully electric trolley replica vehicles. Powered by nickel cadmium (flooded) batteries, the trolleys emit zero emissions and can transport a maximum of 22 passengers. Two of the trolleys operate seven hours a day, six days a week on a downtown New Haven circular route. One trolley also runs an additional two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening, carrying people from various business buildings to parking lots.

The trolleys are each nearing 40,000 miles of operation and have an operational readiness rate that's greater than 90%. Using the electric trolleys instead of conventional diesel buses "improves the air quality in an area that is out of compliance with ozone and particulate matter, as well as decreases dependence on foreign petroleum," says Donna Carter, GNHTD executive director. "We are very pleased to be able to keep these trolleys, which were built to run in sunny California, on the streets of chilly New Haven in the dead of winter." GNHTD estimates that, so far, the trolley fleet has displaced 10,000 gallons of petroleum diesel fuel. Route expansions and refinements are currently being explored to offer better connections between local rail service, work locations, and tourist sites in the downtown area. The City of New Haven and the Greater New Haven Transit District are working together to secure funding for expansion of its alternative fuel vehicle fleet to serve the growing need for increased public transit options downtown.

For more information, visit the New Haven Transit District Web site or contact Donna Carter, Greater New Haven Transit District.

Redwood National and State Parks

Last Updated: August 22, 2007
Located near Eureka, California, the Redwood National and State Parks are currently using a variety of alternative fuels in its fleet. They are using biodiesel (B20) to operate 32 heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) used for park maintenance. The park also uses five light-duty electric vehicles and two Toyota Prius hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) for light maintenance and park transportation. In addition, the park has an electric tractor vehicle used to haul cleaning supplies to the restrooms, pick up and transport garbage, and to perform routine maintenance work. "The electric tractor is quieter than a conventional vehicle, and it does not disturb the wildlife as much," says Roads and Trails Supervisor Richard Mayle.Redwood National and State Parks currently has an onsite biodiesel (B20) refueling station. "Biodiesel is inconsistent because it usually takes a few weeks to get a shipment to our remote location. Sometimes the fuel arrives in a few days and other times it takes a couple of weeks," says Mayle. "Biodiesel also costs a little bit more than conventional fossil fuel diesel, but we have noticed that biodiesel is cleaner and seems better for the environment."

For additional information, visit the Redwood National and State Parks Web site or contact Richard Mayle at richard_mayle@nps.gov.

Seattle Tacoma International Airport

Last Updated: August 22, 2007
In 2001, the Port of Seattle Aviation Division adopted a fleet vehicle purchase policy that required the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), whenever feasible and practical, to replace conventional petroleum vehicles. The Seattle Tacoma (Sea-Tac) International Airport's fleet is currently composed of 60 compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, including 16 buses and 41 light-duty vehicles (LDVs)--all of which display the slogan "Doing our share for cleaner air naturally." Sea-Tac's fleet also includes seven propane LDVs, nine hybrid LDVs and 91 ground support units that operate on electricity. In 2005, the Sea-Tac Airport received the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Excellence Award in recognition of the implementation of air quality programs such as the fleet vehicle purchase policy.

The Port required airport taxi and shuttle services to switch to CNG vehicles. Shuttle Express currently has 27 CNG shuttle vans serving the airport. Shuttle Express operates more than 33% of its total trip mileage using the CNG vans. The Seattle-Tacoma International Taxi Association operates all of its 166 taxi cab fleet with CNG-fueled Ford Crown Victorias. The Port of Seattle's Air Quality Web site reports that the CNG fleet is expected to produce 149 fewer tons of carbon monoxide and 24 fewer tons of oxides of nitrogen each year compared to conventional vehicles.

The Port partnered with Clean Energy to install, operate, and maintain a full-service CNG fueling station at Sea-Tac, which is open to the public and operates 24 hours a day. Sea-Tac currently has plans to add an additional public CNG fueling station, as well as increase the number of CNG buses in its fleet.

For more information, contact Russ Simonson, senior environmental program manager, Port of Seattle, Aviation Division, at simonson.r@portseattle.org.