HONOLULU – The state of Hawaiʻi, through the Department of Transportation (HDOT), has made a significant advancement in sustainable transportation by unveiling new all-electric, zero-emission buses for Kauaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island.
These latest green buses, manufactured by Gillig, represent a monumental milestone in the state’s commitment to a sustainable future in transportation.
Hawai‘i Governor Josh Green, M.D. expressed, “The arrival of these new alternative energy, low-emission buses will provide our residents and visitors with additional transportation options that will help keep our communities connected.”
He further emphasized the importance of this initiative in reducing Hawai‘i’s reliance on imported fossil fuels and enhancing energy security across the Islands.
The project benefited from generous support from the Federal Transit Administration, which provided $11.2 million through competitive grants and formula programs.
The overall cost of the project was approximately $16.6 million, with the Hawai‘i State Energy Office contributing $3.53 million from Volkswagen Settlement funds. The remaining costs have been covered by the counties involved.
In total, 12 aging diesel buses are being replaced with battery-electric buses across the islands of Kauaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island.
This transition is expected to yield an estimated reduction of 1.445 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions for each bus replaced, leading to a combined total reduction of around 17.34 tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the buses’ lifetimes.
All counties in Hawai‘i have established a goal to convert their public bus fleets to 100% renewable fuels by 2035.
Honolulu is poised to follow suit by purchasing additional zero-emission buses in the coming years, building on its current fleet of 17 zero-emission buses operating throughout Oʻahu.
Mayor Rick Blangiardi of Honolulu remarked, “These battery-electric buses have been a game changer for Honolulu. They are quiet and efficient, with top-notch performance ensuring our riders a safe, comfortable and high-quality ride.
Our riders love them. Our bus drivers love driving them. I’m proud that our city and the state are taking steps together toward a cleaner transportation future.”
To support the new electric bus fleet, the City and County of Honolulu are constructing additional charging stations at various transit facilities, including the Alapaʻi Transit Center and Pearlridge Mobility Hub.
Kaua‘i Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami celebrated the milestone, stating: “Today marks an important milestone, not only for the County of Kaua’i, but for the entire State.
This transition to electric buses is not just an upgrade; it symbolizes our commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable transportation.
By moving towards electric buses, we are able to lower emissions and help protect our planet, which is vital for future generations.
We appreciate the support from our federal and state partners, our dedicated County team, and our community as we work towards this important initiative.”
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen expressed optimism about the new buses, highlighting the importance of energy-efficient resources: “We look forward to seeing these buses on the road as we continue to prioritize energy efficient resources.
Every ride on one of these buses helps reduce emissions and protect our environment.”
On Hawaiʻi Island, Mayor Kimo Alameda echoed similar sentiments, stating: “These new electric buses are a significant step toward reducing our emissions and expanding sustainable transportation options for our residents.
They represent a win for both our environment and the people of Hawaiʻi. Mahalo to our federal and state partners for helping us make this forward-thinking investment possible.”
The introduction of these electric buses is expected to improve air quality and public health in residential, rural, and school zones in Hawaiʻi that are particularly vulnerable to air pollutants.
Replacing diesel buses is a key component of efforts to reduce diesel particulate matter and overall greenhouse gas emissions, supporting communities across the state in achieving cleaner air quality.
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