At the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE), we know that lasting change only occurs when clean technologies succeed not just environmentally, but commercially. Our newly released 2025 Impact Report reflects our adaptive approach in a complex policy landscape and highlights our dedication to advancing zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty transportation.

Representatives from 45 public transit fleets gather to discuss zero-emission technology, workforce readiness, safety, and fleet operations

Transit agencies across California are planning for and implementing zero-emission bus (ZEB) deployments in response to regulatory requirements, climate goals, and changing operational needs. While ZEB technologies offer significant environmental and public health benefits, they also come with new planning, procurement, infrastructure, and operational considerations that differ from conventional bus deployments. A successful transition and deployment begin with an understanding of ZEB technology and its impact on operations, as well as early coordination across agency stakeholders.

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.

This white paper outlines the unique fire risks associated with battery electric buses (BEBs) and the strategies needed to manage them effectively. While BEBs offer major benefits—like improved air quality, quieter operation, and lower maintenance—they introduce different safety challenges than traditional diesel or natural gas buses, primarily due to lithium-ion batteries and high-voltage systems.

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.

Transfort, the public transportation provider for the City of Fort Collins, Colorado, has reduced fuel and maintenance costs per vehicle mile for its battery electric buses (BEBs) by 50 percent, driven primarily by fuel savings and more effective charge management. The results demonstrate how zero-emission transit can deliver both environmental and economic benefits when paired with careful operational planning.

Universities across the country are embracing the call to reduce emissions, respond to student and faculty demand for more sustainable campuses, and enhance the overall campus experience. One of the most effective ways to achieve these goals is by transitioning campus fleets to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), thus creating cleaner, quieter, and more resilient transportation on campus.