First U.S. College converts to all-electric bus fleet
The University of California Irvine (UCI) announced that it is acquiring 20 electric buses from Chinese automobile manufacturer BYD, costing $15 million
The University of California Irvine (UCI) announced that it is acquiring 20 electric buses from Chinese automobile manufacturer BYD, costing $15 million.
The introduction will make the UCI the first college campus in the U.S. to convert its buses to an entirely electric fleet.
The vehicles are being built at the BYDs Lancaster plant, in California, and will appear on campus for the 2017-18 academic year, joining the hydrogen buses that are already in service to provide more than 2 million pollution-free rides every year.
The UCI Anteater Express shuttle service is funded and operated by students; the student body voted to increase the cost of the service – an extra $40 per quarter – in order to cover the purchase and start-up of the vehicles.
That essentially nets out to prepayment for use of the system, as individual rides on the shuttles are free.
Tracy La, President of the Associated Students of University of California Irvine (ASUCI), said: “Once again, UCI is No. 1 in making sure we have a sustainable future. I hope the rest of the country can follow us, I hope other colleges and universities will do this.”
This move by the UCI team supports the broader University of California’s goal to emit net-zero greenhouse gases from university buildings and vehicles by 2025.
The electricity used to power the vehicles must still be driven to zero to meet this goal, but de-segmenting emissions from the point of use is a great initial step.
Stella Li, President of BYD America, Stella Li said “UCI is taking an important step, becoming the first college campus in the country with an all-electric transit fleet. This forward-looking decision is proof of what many in higher education already know: that electric vehicles aren’t a far-off technology of the future but are here and ready to be put to use today. BYD is proud to be providing these 20 high-quality, California-made buses to UC Irvine.”
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