Electric Bus Trial for Houston + Videos - making public transportation greener

January 2, 2017

In early December Houston METRO introduced a zero-emissions battery electric bus for a 90 day pilot program along the 63 Fondren route. A number of other cities around the U.S. have already introduced electric buses, including McAllen, TX. Electric buses offer a number of environmental benefits, such as reducing carbon emissions, particulate matter and other harmful pollutants, and also noise reductions – a benefit to neighborhoods and passengers. Electric buses also reduce long term maintenance costs compared to traditional fossil fuel run buses. There are currently a variety of charging techniques and manufacturers for electric buses. Below is a sampling of videos from different locations that describe the benefits and illustrate some differing charging techniques. For questions for comments, contact Frank Blake at frankblake@juno.com

McAllen, TX, using wireless inductive technology:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG5W2qu9FBI

Lancaster, CA (north Los Angeles County), using battery electric bus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZX6lr-N-5s

Massachusetts Regional Transit Authority:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqvbn0wgefg

Geneva, Switzerland, using flash charging technology:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLNQcEzLrY4

Gothenberg, Sweden, another charging technology:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCL-s4qh32c

Proterra Electric Bus (Jay Leno program), more detail on bus construction and technology:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JpMTWdPZ6c&t=13s