Zero Emission Fleet Transition

Greener Transit. Brighter Future.

Every time you ride transit instead of driving a car, you are making the planet greener. At Community Transit, we’ve prioritized sustainability and we’re going one step further to preserve our beautiful environment in Snohomish County: We are targeting a transition to a fully zero emissions fleet by 2044. This shift from diesel-powered to zero emissions buses represents the agency's most substantial investment to date.

Getting there

The shift to zero emissions buses is a priority for Community Transit and will help shape the future of mobility in Snohomish County. Along with new buses, there will be changes to our agency’s facilities, technology, operations, and training programs. Community Transit has undertaken a years-long study to evaluate and develop an operationally, fiscally, and environmentally sustainable strategy that will benefit transit riders and our community for generations to come.

On our way

In 2024, Community Transit concluded testing of a 60-foot battery electric bus (BEB) — maybe you saw it on the road. Our bus drivers and mechanics were “kicking the tires” and learning how these buses drive and are maintained. Some key takeaways from this study include:

• Varied topography produces different results. For example, hilly terrain will use greater battery consumption versus flat roadways.
• Training is important. Bus driver familiarity with operating the BEB has a great impact on overall efficiency and range of the vehicle.
  
• Extreme hot or cold weather can be tough on batteries and significantly reduce their range.

Drivers who tested the BEB say, "It drives like a bus!" and "It's smooth and quiet, making it enjoyable to drive." These comments highlight how easy and comfortable it can feel to transition to a bus powered by clean energy.

The zero emissions fleet transition will provide a chance to train existing employees for the evolving landscape of electric transportation. Moreover, it will provide job opportunities at Community Transit in areas like maintenance, infrastructure, and fleet management.

The road ahead

Community Transit will continue to learn using the zero emissions fleet. These learnings will help the agency evaluate vehicle performance, train staff, and plan for future zero emissions service.

In 2026, the agency will begin design work for electrifying our bus yards to support an initial fleet of 10 40-foot BEBs, with revenue service planned for 2028. We are also planning for broader fleet electrification with design expected to begin in 2029 and completion targeted for 2032.

Community Transit is taking steps to operate 11 battery electric buses in 2028.

Leading the charge with hydrogen fuel

Community Transit is actively piloting a hydrogen fuel cell bus (FCEB), gathering critical insights to inform decision-making around future mixed propulsion fleets. While local hydrogen production remains several years away, we are actively engaged in regional and national conversations focused on hydrogen production, distribution, and long-term scalability. Local, regional, and national partnerships and collaboration will be key as we move toward the sustainable deployment of clean transportation technology.

Planning for a reliable zero emissions fleet

Community Transit is continuing long-range fleet modeling to understand how zero emissions buses can meet service needs across Snohomish County. Early results suggest about 30% of the bus fleet could switch to battery electric buses with little change to today’s service patterns. Growth beyond that level may require changes to service design, additional charging infrastructure, or both.

Stay tuned and share your feedback

Community organizations have had the opportunity to learn about the zero emissions program and give feedback on benefits and impacts to local communities.

Future opportunities to engage with the program include:

• Field trips aboard a zero emissions bus
• Online open house to learn more and a survey to give input
• Learning about workforce development opportunities and partnering with Community Transit
• Regular updates via Community Transit’s website and social media

If you have questions or want to comment on the zero emissions program, send an email to engage@commtrans.org.