CDTA showcases new electric buses
ALBANY, N.Y. » CDTA started a new and progressive engine Friday on the first battery- electric powered bus in upstate New York.
CDTA is rolling out four electric buses to test the technology and charging infrastructure for zero- emission buses.
CDTA will put the electric buses it purchased from New Flyer of America into service as part of a pilot program. The transportation authority will monitor the range, charging timelines, electricity usage and performance of the vehicles throughout its route network as it looks to expand in the future.
“We take pride in being a leader in innovation,” CDTA Chief Executive Officer Carm Basile said in a news release.
“These buses meet CDTA’s goals to reduce the region’s carbon footprint. They are part of a progressive platform for clean energy being advanced by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. These are exciting times and CDTA continues to be at the forefront of progress in New York State,” Basile added.
Under the pilot, officials said the buses will be rotated throughout the service area to ensure that they operate in all types of conditions. CDTA is using money from a federal grant that allowed it to invest in battery-electric bus technology and the associated support equipment.
The buses will not only produce zero emissions but will also be quieter and are expected to yield lower operating costs than both diesel and natural gas buses. Customer and employee’s reaction to the vehicles will be included in the data sets that will be collected and analyzed as part of the pilot operation.
NewFlyer’s Xcelsior CHARGE 40-foot buses will eliminate between up to 175 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually,
which supports CDTA’s mission to improve accessibility and mobility. This will also help the state reach its goal of transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2040.
“New Flyer is thrilled to celebrate CDTA’s launch of the first battery- electric transit buses in upstate New York,” Chris Stoddart, President, New Flyer said.
CDTA installed four Siemens direct current depot chargers, at its 110 Watervliet Ave. facility. High efficiency
LEDlighting was installed in each of the charging stations to enhance safety measures. CDTA worked with National Grid and Sage Engineering to design appropriate upgrades of the electrical capacity at CDTA headquarters. Kasselman Electric was awarded a contract to make sure CDTAhas the necessary electrical upgrades to support the buses.
“We know the transition to electric vehicles can be daunting for many fleet owners, especially when it comes to navigating the charging infrastructure and deployment. As the utility, we are committed to helping our customers overcome that barrier to EV adoption. The Virtual Lab with CDTA gives us the opportunity to explore this process and work handin-hand with our customer as they make the transition to cleaner fuels. All of this would not be possible without the forward-thinking of partners like CDTA and New York State,” Laurie Poltynski, Regional Executive Director for National Grid remarked.
Each charger weighs 5,200 pounds and contains 20 times the amount of charging capacity compared to most common electric vehicle chargers. They also have a built-in website that tracks the electric energy that is transferred to the 42 batteries contained in each bus.
Each bus costs $900,000, each charger costs $121,000. Training and tools needed for maintenance cost close to $200,000, bringing the total cost of the pilot project to $3.9 million.
Much of this was paid for through grants, including a $950,000 in federal money and $250,000 from the New York State Legislature (via Assemblywoman Fahy). Approximately $1.4 million from a 2016 settlement with Volkswagen will be directed towards the project. CDTA is using $1.3 million from its vehicle replacement reserve to complete the project funding.
“CDTA continues to be on the cutting edge of public transportation, and this latest development, all-electric buses, is a prime example,” Sen. Neil Breslin said.
“I am proud to join the Capital District Transportation Authority today for the unveiling of their new electric buses. These buses will help achieve emissions and air quality targets by reducing energy consumption, waste, and pollution. Thank you to CDTA for continuing to foster innovation and new technologies to improve sustainable public transportation for the Capital Region,” Assemblymember John McDonald III added.