From the Houston Climate Action Plan (April 2020 release):
“METRO understands the promising role electric vehicles offer to public transportation systems and is undertaking a study on electric bus charging infrastructure. The City has received grant funding to electrify buses at the Houston Airport System.”
COMPLEMENTARY INITIATIVES: EVolve Houston Coalition, Sustainable Fleet Vehicle Options for the City of Houston
The transportation sector is a large source of Houston’s emissions, which will continue to grow as long as traditional fossil fuels are used to power our vehicles. The average car on the road is now 12 years old. (ref. 18) This means that older, dirtier vehicles are being driven longer, placing an even greater importance on increasing state and federal vehicle fuel-efficiency standards to a minimum 40 MPG equivalent for new passenger cars and light-duty trucks by 2025. Electric vehicles are one of the most promising opportunities for Houston to lead in transportation emissions reductions. Electric vehicles could also save Houstonians money, as they have a lower cost of ownership compared to internal combustion vehicles. (ref. 19)
A future shift to electric buses will require substantial planning to overcome current range limitations and determine a new structure for operations, infrastructure, and charging systems. METRO, Houston’s regional transit authority, currently operates a fleet of over 1,200 buses, including more than 400 diesel-electric hybrid buses and 50 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses. (ref. 20) METRO understands the promising role electric vehicles offer to public transportation systems and is undertaking a study on electric bus charging infrastructure. The City has received grant funding to electrify buses at the Houston Airport System.
Commercial fleet and freight vehicles, such as combination and singleunit trucks, are another significant opportunity to reduce transportation emissions—one that will likely not be realized until vehicle options and charging infrastructure becomes more affordable and available. EVolve Houston is laying the groundwork to engage fleet managers to address market factors that will influence truck electrification, including identification of local demonstration projects.
From the Houston Climate Action Plan (April 2020 release):
“METRO understands the promising role electric vehicles offer to public transportation systems and is undertaking a study on electric bus charging infrastructure. The City has received grant funding to electrify buses at the Houston Airport System.”
http://greenhoustontx.gov/climateactionplan/
http://greenhoustontx.gov/climateactionplan/CAP-April2020.pdf
Pg. 31:
GOAL 1 SHIFT REGIONAL FLEET TO ELECTRIC AND LOW-EMISSION VEHICLES.
TARGET: Convert nonemergency, light-duty municipal fleet to 100% EV by 2030.
CO-BENEFITS: Economic Growth, Cost-savings, Improved Environmental Quality
COMPLEMENTARY INITIATIVES: EVolve Houston Coalition, Sustainable Fleet Vehicle Options for the City of Houston
The transportation sector is a large source of Houston’s emissions, which will continue to grow as long as traditional fossil fuels are used to power our vehicles. The average car on the road is now 12 years old. (ref. 18) This means that older, dirtier vehicles are being driven longer, placing an even greater importance on increasing state and federal vehicle fuel-efficiency standards to a minimum 40 MPG equivalent for new passenger cars and light-duty trucks by 2025. Electric vehicles are one of the most promising opportunities for Houston to lead in transportation emissions reductions. Electric vehicles could also save Houstonians money, as they have a lower cost of ownership compared to internal combustion vehicles. (ref. 19)
A future shift to electric buses will require substantial planning to overcome current range limitations and determine a new structure for operations, infrastructure, and charging systems. METRO, Houston’s regional transit authority, currently operates a fleet of over 1,200 buses, including more than 400 diesel-electric hybrid buses and 50 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses. (ref. 20) METRO understands the promising role electric vehicles offer to public transportation systems and is undertaking a study on electric bus charging infrastructure. The City has received grant funding to electrify buses at the Houston Airport System.
Commercial fleet and freight vehicles, such as combination and singleunit trucks, are another significant opportunity to reduce transportation emissions—one that will likely not be realized until vehicle options and charging infrastructure becomes more affordable and available. EVolve Houston is laying the groundwork to engage fleet managers to address market factors that will influence truck electrification, including identification of local demonstration projects.