Authored by Alyssa Fritts, CTE Managing Consultant & ZEBRA Manager

The Zero Emission Bus Resource Alliance (ZEBRA) teamed up with The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) on September 16 and 17 to host a dynamic Mixed Fleet Roundtable in Las Vegas. Representatives from 20 transit agencies across the U.S. and Canada gathered to exchange insights on zero-emission bus (ZEB) deployments and explore cutting-edge technologies designed to enhance ZEB programs.

In a rapidly evolving industry, agencies are increasingly focusing on fleet diversification to boost flexibility and resilience, all while addressing their unique operational needs. The event featured six industry innovators who shared valuable presentations on their latest offerings, demonstrating how these solutions can aid in planning and managing mixed fleets.

Participants enjoyed an exclusive tour of Air Liquide’s liquid hydrogen production facility, a key source of hydrogen along the West Coast. Engineers from Air Liquide provided an in-depth look at their $250 million site, covering everything from production to sustainability initiatives. Notably, this marked the first time a fuel cell electric bus (FCEB) was present at the facility!

Additionally, ZEBRA members boarded RTC's battery electric buses (BEBs) for a tour of the Sunset Maintenance Facility. The RTC team showcased their temporary fueling station and shared design plans for a permanent facility, set to be completed by the end of 2024. With a mobile fueler from Air Products supplying gaseous hydrogen for RTC’s two New Flyer FCEBs, the agency is making significant strides in zero-emission transit.

A highlight of the roundtable was the interactive format, where presenters introduced their innovations related to zero-emission transit and engaged in dialogue with CTE moderator Kylie McCord. Key topics included:

• Strategies for planning and operating mixed fleets of BEB and FCEB buses

• New fueling technologies and sources for FCEB deployments

• Comprehensive solutions for managing sustainable mobility projects

• Bus OEMs focused on emissions reduction and operational efficiency

• Optimized BEB charging solutions and data management for enhanced uptime

The event fostered invaluable networking opportunities, allowing participants to share their experiences—both challenges and successes. The steep learning curve in the zero-emission space means that knowledge exchange is crucial for advancing the industry.

A sincere thank you to event sponsors—ABB, Air Liquide, Letenda, New Flyer / MCI, Transdev, and Zero Emission Industries—for their expertise and contributions, and to RTC of Southern Nevada for hosting this impactful event.

Interested in attending the next in-person ZEBRA meeting? We're already hard at work planning ZEBRA's 2025 roundtable events! Keep an eye out for upcoming announcements on themes and locations.