February 11th the Antelope Valley Transit Authority board of directors awarded Build Your Dreams (BYD) a contract to manufacture up to 85 electric buses. [courtesy AVTA]
The Antelope Valley Transit Authority’s (AVTA) goal of becoming the nation’s first all-electric bus fleet will not only raise the bar on how transit agencies can contribute to the environment but also stimulate the local economy as well. With clear direction of being fully electric by 2018, AVTA has a strong message “100% Green by 2018”.
The $40 million project to convert aging diesel buses to all electric buses will be funded through a $24.4 million grant recently awarded to AVTA from the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) along with $15 million in matching federal funds.
The $40 million project to convert aging diesel buses to all electric buses will be funded through a $24.4 million grant recently awarded to AVTA from the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) along with $15 million in matching federal funds.
| Another component of the project is to install state-of-the-art wireless charging stations which will allow the electric buses to charge wirelessly simply by driving the vehicles over charging pads embedded in the ground. “Wireless charging will enable electric buses to operate all day without having to take time to re-charge batteries back at the yard,” said AVTA Board Chairman Marvin Crist. “Growth is an important factor, and this technology allows for future fleet expansion without range limitation.” The first in-ground wireless charging pad, developed by Utah-based WAVE, Inc., was installed earlier this year at the Lancaster City Park boarding location. Installation of the second charging pad will begin next Friday, March 25, 2016, at the Palmdale Transportation Center boarding location. Upgrading the Palmdale Transportation Center is key as it is a planned stop for the California High Speed Rail and the XpressWest High Speed Rail to Las Vegas. | |
On February 11, 2016, the Antelope Valley Transit Authority board of directors awarded Build Your Dreams (BYD) a contract to manufacture up to 85 electric buses over a five year period. Lancaster-based BYD, the world’s largest rechargeable battery manufacturer and the first Chinese automotive company in America, will deliver a variety of all-electric bus models to AVTA including a 40 foot low floor transit bus, a 60 foot low floor articulated bus, and a 45 foot commuter coach. All buses will have a range of greater than 160 miles on a single charge.
BYD will deliver a variety of all-electric bus models to AVTA including a 40 foot low floor transit bus, a 60 foot low floor articulated bus, and a 45 foot commuter coach
The Antelope Valley not only continues to grow and develop but to also lead the nation in several firsts across several multi-billion dollar industries. To name a few, Lancaster is the first and only city in the world that requires solar to be included with every new home built in the city, the planned OASIS Wellness Village in Palmdale will be the first-ever complete wellness and health development in the nation, more “First Flight” milestones have been made in the Antelope Valley than any other place on earth making the area the world’s premier aerospace location, and the list of firsts goes on and on. Smart investors are learning how to position themselves to profit from all of the growth before it’s too late. Learn how you too can profit! Click here to join our next educational event!
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