FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK

The prominence of electric vehicles in the national infrastructure conversation is certainly exciting, and I am thrilled to see the medium- and heavy-duty transportation segments playing a prominent role in these discussions. In fact, it appears the U.S. public transit market will be the first major market to complete the full transition to zero-emission vehicles. While I am proud to say that CTE has played a big role in transit’s progress toward zero emissions, this transition could not have been possible without the concerted efforts of the Federal Transit Administration. FTA put a plan in place that supported zero-emission buses from early-stage research through prototype development, demonstration, and deployment.  

FTA’s efforts have laid the groundwork for wider federal government support. Before unveiling their Clean Transit for America Plan last month, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) requested that CTE conduct an independent study to formulate a roadmap and cost assessment for transitioning the entire U.S. transit fleet to zero-emission vehicles. The senators chose CTE to produce this report because of our extensive track record successfully developing and deploying zero-emission transit buses. The report provides valuable insight into the path forward for clean transit and shows the commitment of both Congress and the transit market to completing this transition on a national scale.  

Given this tremendous momentum towards zero-emission transit, fleet managers and operators should start gathering information and considering their options now. CTE’s 2021 International Zero Emission Bus Conference provides an opportunity to do just that. Each year, the conference gathers zero-emission bus champions and new zero-emission fleet operators from around the globe to shape the future of clean transportation. I hope you’ll be able to join us in Denver, Colorado this September.

The shift to zero-emission vehicles is happening now. Let’s get it right—together.

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