The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) partnered with the Port of Portland (the Port) in August of 2023 to study the feasibility of various scenarios to convert Portland International Airport’s (PDX) shuttle bus fleet to zero-emission (ZE) propulsion technologies. In addition to considering the operational needs of PDX’s bus fleet in its study, CTE will weigh PDX’s broader sustainability goals, resilience needs, and other objectives as it considers which ZE technology solution will be the most appropriate for PDX. The goal of this project is to provide a plan under which PDX can replace its aging compressed natural gas fleet with battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell electric buses. The Port aims to reduce PDX’s emissions from 1990 levels by 45% by 2030 and to eliminate emissions by 2050. PDX’s bus fleet is currently the airport’s largest source of Scope One emissions.
CTE has conducted its transition study by utilizing its established framework. CTE has collected key data from the Port and analyzed that data in assessments covering PDX’s service, buses, fuel needs, maintenance needs, resilience objectives, and infrastructure. CTE’s final report will include commentary on the Port’s ZE transition options as well as total cost of ownership estimates.
CTE initiated this project in October 2023 at a kickoff event held at PDX with Port staff. At the event, CTE detailed its Transition Planning methodology, learned about the Port’s bus fleet and operations, educated the Port’s staff on ZE bus and infrastructure options, discussed the project’s schedule and next steps, and conducted a site walk.
As of August 2024, CTE has completed assessments covering PDX’s bus fleet’s service, vehicles, fuel requirements, maintenance needs, infrastructure, and resilience objectives.
Next, CTE will complete a total cost of ownership assessment and deliver a final report summarizing the findings of its assessments and providing commentary on the potential zero-emission transition pathways available to the Port. CTE anticipates completing this project in September 2024.
