Electric buses are poised to represent an increasingly larger share of the United States bus market due to the benefits of avoided air pollution, zero carbon emissions, and lower operation & maintenance costs. However, while total cost of ownership is approaching parity for electric buses versus diesel buses (and in some cases, even undercutting diesel), transit agencies and municipalities face the common problem of higher upfront capital expenditures required for electric buses versus traditional diesel-powered alternatives. This study examines the current mechanisms by which public transit agencies have procured electric buses to date as well as new, innovative financing models, with a focus on four states that have been highly active in this space: California, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington.
Published Apr 26, 2019
Liu, D., Mba ’19 Advisor, M. /, & Buley, J. (2019). The U.S. Electric Bus Transition: An Analysis of Funding and Financing Mechanisms. https://dukespace.lib.duke.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/10161/18464/The U.S. Electric Bus Transition - An Analysis of Funding and Financing Mechanisms.pdf?sequence=1