The state Department of Transportation (HDOT), unveiled new all-electric, zero-emission buses bound for Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi, and Maui.

With this delivery, 12 diesel buses on Kauaʻi, Maui  and Hawaiʻi Island will be replaced with battery-electric buses. The estimated nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions reductions for each bus replaced, is 1.445 tons over the lifetime of the bus, equating to a total reduction of approximately 17.34 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Federal Transit Administration provided $11.2 million to the Zero Emission bus project through its “Low or No Emissions” competitive grant and “Buses and Bus Facilities” formula program, covering part of the project’s total $16.6 million cost. The Hawai‘i State Energy Office contributed $3.53 million from the Volkswagen Settlement funds, with the remaining amount covered by the counties.

All counties have set a goal to convert public bus fleets to 100% renewable fuels by 2035. Honolulu will also be purchasing new zero-emission buses in the upcoming years to add to TheBus fleet. Honolulu currently has 17 zero-emission buses that operate island-wide on Oʻahu and the city has secured funds to purchase up to 78 additional buses in the next three years.

The new buses will reduce emissions, improve air quality and protect public health in targeted residential, rural and school zones in Hawaiʻi susceptible to air pollutants. Diesel bus replacements reduce diesel particulate matter and greenhouse gas emissions, benefiting susceptible communities and improving Hawaiʻi’s air quality.

Photo credit: City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services