The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) partnered with Prince George’s County (PGC) Transit Authority (TheBus) for a successful award under the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission Vehicle Program (Low-No). CTE is working with PGC to deploy 20 battery electric buses (BEBs), upgrade the PGC facility’s electrical system, implementing a microgrid, and installing on-route charging at five locations.
CTE is currently providing project management and technical support to PGC to achieve a successful BEB deployment. This deployment of twenty (20) BEBs will inform PGC’s future zero-emission bus deployments and the agency’s goal of servicing a 70% electric bus fleet by 2035 under its “Proud to Change” Zero Emissions and Sustainable Transportation Program.
As of August 2024, CTE has conducted analyses to determine the feasibility of PGC operating BEBs on its routes under various conditions and to provide recommendations for charging scenarios. CTE is currently conducting a utility rate analysis, which will provide PGC with estimates for the cost of fueling its BEBs using both the utility grid and a microgrid. PGC is expected to purchase 10 BEBs from New Flyer and 10 BEBs from GILLIG.
In June 2023, CTE held an initial kickoff with PGC staff to discuss project expectations. An on-site project kickoff event will be held when all project partners have been contracted. CTE is providing assistance and support with the development of outstanding project contracts as needed, including PGC with the development of the design-build contract for Scale Microgrid to provide the design, installation, and operation of the charging infrastructure and microgrid.
