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Until recently, the operating demands of agriculture and mining left few practical alternatives to diesel-fueled equipment. Today, advances in battery and hydrogen technologies are beginning to change that equation. As a result, operators are increasingly evaluating zero-emission equipment that can reduce emissions while maintaining productivity and reliability. While adoption timelines vary by application, the market has shifted from demonstration to early commercialization.

Seven innovative zero-emission suppliers and 22 transit agencies from across the country gathered in Urbana, Illinois June 3 and 4 to discuss one of the biggest topics in the transit industry today: Hydrogen for the Long Haul. Organized by the Zero Emission Bus Resource Alliance (ZEBRA) in collaboration with the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Council (HFCBC) and Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (CUMTD), this intimate event was the setting for innovative, collaborative conversations over two days of information sharing. Attendees learned and shared insights about overcoming challenges and scaling opportunities for fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs).

CTE is celebrating the successful adoption of Amendment #67 to the BUILD 250 Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill, a bipartisan, five-year transportation package that invests in America’s roads, bridges, transit, rail transportation, and highway and motor carrier safety programs.

The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) is celebrating the successful adoption of Amendment #099 to HR 8748, the Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2026. This amendment, authorizing the Transit Vehicle Innovation and Deployment Centers (TVIDC) Program, will have tangible, positive impacts on transit agencies across the country. CTE thanks Representative Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon for her introduction of the measure, and Science and Technology Committee Chair Babin and Ranking Member Lofgren for their support of the amendment’s passage. CTE looks forward to continued partnership with congressional leaders as the bill advances to the House floor.

As transit agencies across the country work to modernize fleets and reduce emissions, Valley Regional Transit (VRT) is continuing to build momentum in Boise, Idaho. Through a successful award under the Federal Transit Administration’s 2022 Low or No Emission Vehicle Program (Low-No), VRT partnered with the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE), Jacobs, and Heliox to deploy seven new 35-foot GILLIG battery electric buses (BEBs) and the charging infrastructure necessary to support them.

The CTE Policy Team is charging headfirst into spring with a renewed focus on our legislative priorities. We are actively advocating for our key funding programs and mechanisms and strengthening our network of transit advocates and allies on Capitol Hill and beyond.

The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) is proud to announce the appointment of Dorval R. Carter, Jr. to its Board of Directors. A nationally recognized transit leader, Carter brings decades of experience in public transportation leadership and federal transportation policy to the organization.Carter previously served as President of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), one of the largest transit systems in the United States, where he led the agency from 2015 to 2025. During his tenure, he oversaw more than 10,000 employees and guided more than $8 billion in capital investments, including major modernization initiatives, the Red Line Extension project, and the largest railcar procurement in CTA’s history.Prior to leading CTA, Carter served in senior roles at the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration, including Acting Chief of Staff to then–Secretary Anthony Foxx and Acting Deputy Administrator and Chief Counsel at FTA.

Autonomous technologies are rapidly evolving and poised to reshape transportation across every sector. From self-driving freight and ground support equipment to micro-transit and agricultural machinery, automation is already taking root in a wide range of operational environments. This growth presents opportunities for safer, more efficient, and lower-emission operations—but also brings complex challenges, including integrating advanced systems, navigating evolving regulations, and adapting fleet operations and infrastructure.

The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) has been partnering with the University of Michigan to support the deployment and operation of its electric bus fleet, providing expertise that ensures both high performance and long-term sustainability. Through ongoing Key Performance Indicator (KPI) reporting, CTE monitors the reliability, cost-effectiveness, and operational efficiency of the university’s New Flyer battery electric buses (BEBs) and Siemens depot chargers.

While America’s coasts frequently command the narrative around zero-emission vehicles, the Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corporation (CityBus), a transit agency in Lafayette, Indiana, is quietly advancing the first hydrogen bus deployment in Indiana.