July 25, 2024
The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) has awarded Planning Communities the opportunity to lead the development of an updated Guidebook for Deploying Zero-Emission Transit Buses. Building on the success of the original 2021 guidebook, this new edition will incorporate lessons learned as transit agencies across the United States have adopted electric buses (battery-electric) and begun piloting hydrogen-powered fuel cell buses.
Planning Communities, known for its leadership in sustainable transit planning, will collaborate with Microgrid Labs (MGL) to bring cutting-edge expertise in fleet electrification. MGL’s experience includes supporting the deployment of over 300 electric buses in India in 2024, with those projects expected to scale to 700 electric buses in 2025. Their work highlights the challenges and opportunities of rapidly electrifying transit systems and managing energy at scale.
“TCRP’s decision to commission this update reflects the rapid evolution of zero-emission bus technologies and the critical need for comprehensive guidance as transit agencies continue to transition,” said [insert official’s name], a spokesperson for the program.
The Transit Cooperative Research Program, part of the Transportation Research Board under the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, supports research to address pressing transit challenges. The updated guidebook will provide valuable insights to help transit agencies navigate the complexities of planning, deploying, and managing zero-emission bus fleets.