Photo: Artist Tokeya Waci U standing in front of Lawrence Transit Battery Electric Cutaway.

Authored by Maggie Maddrey, Lead Managing Consultant

The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) is proud to support the City of Lawrence, Kansas in its continued transition to a cleaner, more efficient transit system. CTE is leading technical assistance and project management for the city’s latest advanced technology vehicle deployment under the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission Vehicle Program (Low-No).

This marks the third phase of the city’s multi-year “Electrify Lawrence Transit” initiative, which began with the deployment of five battery electric buses (BEBs) in 2022. CTE has helped support Lawrence through each phase of the initiative. The current phase includes the delivery of two Optimal Electric Vehicle low-floor cutaways—now in service—featuring a proprietary low-floor “No-Kneel” chassis, enabling easy boarding with an ADA-compliant ramp and improved access for all riders. Powered by Proterra’s 123 kWh battery system, these shuttles are capable of handling Lawrence’s operational demands in varied terrain. The shuttle wraps showcase the vibrant work of local Indigenous artist Tokeya Waci U.

In parallel with vehicle delivery, Lawrence Transit is installing additional ChargePoint charging infrastructure to support this addition to their growing electric fleet. The infrastructure installation is expected to be complete by the end of June.

As Lawrence Transit’s trusted project partner, CTE is providing hands-on technical support throughout every stage of the deployment process. Our team:

• Supported a successful 2022 Low-No award application

• Provided guidance on vehicle and charger procurements

• Modeled route performance to ensure the selected buses meet Lawrence’s real-world operational needs

With the buses now in service as of May 2025, CTE will:

• Conduct performance validation testing to help define any recommended changes to operating procedures based on the new cutaways’ actual performance on Lawrence’s routes.

• Collect, analyze, and report on key performance indicators to help track and understand the performance of the electric cutaways over the next year.

With each successful deployment phase, Lawrence Transit is replacing aging diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles with cleaner, quieter battery electric buses. CTE is proud to be a trusted partner in this work—helping turn federal investment into local impact through proven technical leadership and industry experience.