The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) held the world's largest zero-emission bus event, the Zero Emission Bus Conference (ZEB Con) at the Anaheim Convention Center September 19-21. The conference's 14 educational sessions convened speakers from more than 30 states in fleet-to-fleet conversations.

Conference sessions included a reprise of the "Battery Vs! Fuel Cell" debate, bringing Proterra and Ballard together on stage in a fun review of these complementary zero-emission bus technologies. "Ask an OEM" gathered the leading electric bus manufacturers to answer audience questions about vehicle performance requirements, providing seamless interoperability with supporting infrastructure, plans for meeting the growing demand for electric vehicles, and more.

ZEB Con networking opportunities included the Happy (Bus) Hour reception featuring battery and fuel cell bus displays from BYD, Proterra, GILLIG, New Flyer, ENC, Phoenix Motors, and Lightning eMotors as well as Monday night's Welcome Reception hosted by the Zero Emission Bus Resource Alliance (ZEBRA).

Attendees voted for their favorite transit agency video in a friendly contest hosted by ZEBRA to showcase transit battery- and fuel cell electric bus projects and the role of ZEBs in combating climate change and creating sustainable communities. Videos were submitted by eight transit agencies: Sunline Transit, Champaign-Urbana MTD, AC Transit, City of Porterville, Foothill Transit, Mountain Line, TriMet, and Lane Transit. AC Transit's Driving Solutions to Climate Change video was announced as the winner of the contest during closing remarks and was screened for the audience alongside runner-up Lane Transit's video, Breaking news: LTD's blue buses are really green.

"I really enjoyed the ZEB videos from the different agencies and the quality networking this conference allows. I have been attending ZEB Con since 2018 and have been very happy to see it grow each year and see all of us work together in this industry."- Bill Haber, Contract Administrator, King County Metro

In addition to traditional conference panel discussions, breakout sessions, and networking receptions, this year, ZEB Con included complimentary tours of three local transit agencies: Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), Anaheim Regional Transportation (ART), and Foothill Transit. Attendees got an up-close look at these facilities and learned more about their battery and fuel cell electric bus deployments.