Smart Deployment
CTE has successfully guided hundreds of fleet operators to deploy zero-emission vehicles. Because electric vehicles aren’t always a 1:1 replacement for their diesel and CNG counterparts, CTE’s established project management approach and proprietary modeling program ensure project success.
Our Approach
CTE’s Smart Deployment Methodology is specifically designed to help fleet owners understand zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) technologies and how to successfully deploy them. Our team of experts has a proven track record of guiding fleets through the entire deployment process, from planning to implementation.
The cornerstone of CTE’s approach is to apply our ZEV engineering tools to match fleet requirements with the right ZEV technologies and operational strategies. CTE equips fleet owners with a robust understanding of the ZEV market and technology options, as well as the impact that these options have on operational strategies and related costs.
"CTE has been an important partner as we look to the future of zero-emission BEBs. They have applied our specific regional characteristics like climate, topography, route distance, and passenger loads, to industry cost and performance data to help Spokane Transit Authority (STA) develop an informed fleet electrification plan."
Smart Deployment Services
Smart Deployment Project Spotlights
Duluth Transit: Overcoming Challenges of Cold-Weather Bus Deployment
CTE wrote and won a proposal on behalf of the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) to deploy six battery electric buses in one of the coldest climates in the US, where temperatures as low as -20°F are common in winter. As the deployment was originally designed, charging was planned on route and DTA would have to adjust long-existing schedules to accommodate the new technology. Using our proprietary bus, route, and rate modeling, CTE was able to clearly identify the challenges of the deployment as proposed and recommend a better solution. The result included depot-charged buses with larger batteries and auxiliary heaters. Battery electric technology still has its shortcomings in this extreme environment, but CTE is moving the entire industry forward as we establish best practices.
Champaign-Urbana MTD: Sustainable Transit Solutions supported by end-to-end Smart Deployment services
The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) is collaborating with the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) to deploy their first ten 40’ fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs). This initiative builds on CTE’s established partnership with MTD, which includes ongoing support and data reporting for their existing fleet of 60’ FCEBs.
To prepare for the integration of the 40’ buses, CTE collaborated with New Flyer and Trillium, MTD’s hydrogen station operator, to assess fleet fuel usage, fueling time expectations, and station control strategies. These efforts ensured the station’s capacity could accommodate the additional buses.
CTE continues to provide MTD with monthly key performance indicator (KPI) reports for its fleet. These reports offer insights into bus and hydrogen station performance, environmental impacts, and operational efficiency. To enhance usability, CTE recently developed a dynamic dashboard that compiles and visualizes these data streams, offering MTD a comprehensive overview of fleet and station performance.
MTD’s new 40’ FCEBs are now in revenue service, marking another milestone in their transition to sustainable transit solutions. With CTE’s comprehensive Smart Deployment Services, including operational support, technical expertise, and data-driven insights, MTD is advancing its commitment to zero-emission transit while optimizing fleet performance.
