All-New Kia EV9 Priced From $54,900

More

Every new Nissan model in Europe will be 100% electric from now

More

Nissan Concept 20-23 Previews All-Electric Nissan Micra Nismo Hot Hatch

More

2024 Audi Q4 e-tron debuts with more range, more performance

More

Truemag

  • Electric Car News
  • Electric Car Reviews
  • Plug-in Hybrids
  • Technology
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Charging Map

UC Irvine buying 20 electric buses from BYD

The University of California, Irvine is poised to be the first college campus in the nation to convert its buses to an all-electric fleet. The student-funded and -operated Anteater Express shuttle service is acquiring 20 electric buses from BYD for $15 million.

The vehicles are being built at the company’s Lancaster plant to roll onto campus for the 2017-18 academic year, joining a hydrogen electric bus to provide more than 2 million pollution-free rides annually. Undergraduates voted to pay up to $40 per quarter to the Associated Students of UCI to cover the bus purchase and other costs. Individual rides are free.

“Once again, UCI is No. 1 in making sure we have a sustainable future,” said ASUCI President Tracy La. The campus has twice been voted the Sierra Club’s “Coolest School,” among other environmental awards. La, like many of her classmates, has relied heavily on the buses to get between classes and her job. “I hope the rest of the country can follow us,” she said. “I hope other colleges and universities will do this.”

While other schools have added some alternative energy transportation in recent years, UCI is the first to completely scrap its traditional diesel fuel-powered buses, officials said.

“Thanks to a phenomenal partnership between our student organization and the divisions of Student Affairs and Administrative & Business Services, this fall we will move our students in a fleet of zero-tailpipe-emission vehicles – and be the first university in the country to do so!” said Dan Dooros, associate vice chancellor of student affairs.

“UCI is taking an important step, becoming the first college campus in the country with an all-electric transit fleet,” said Stella Li, president of BYD America. “This forward-looking decision is proof of what many in higher education already know: that electric vehicles aren’t a far-off technology of the future but are here and ready to be put to use today. BYD is proud to be providing these 20 high-quality, California-made buses to UC Irvine.”

La, 21, credited past ASUCI leaders for a student referendum in 2013 that called for expansion and update of the popular, sometimes overcrowded campus system. Including a requirement that the buses use clean energy helped the measure pass, she said. A survey of students last year found that of an array of transportation options, the top priority was providing electric buses over conventional ones.

“It’s a lot quieter, a lot cleaner,” La said of the ride on one of the hydrogen buses already in service.

Going all-electric supports the University of California’s pledge to emit net-zero carbon greenhouse gases from buildings and vehicles by 2025. UCI will slash tons of carbon dioxide and harmful soot annually by replacing diesel with electric buses.

“The hydrogen electric bus emits no carbon – neither does the battery electric bus,” said engineering professor Scott Samuelsen, who heads the National Fuel Cell Research Center. He noted that while the production of hydrogen power and plug-in electricity does generate carbon dioxide – the leading greenhouse gas contributing to climate change – technology advances will make those energy sources carbon-free in the next few years.

“I’m very excited and proud to be part of a university that’s committed to making great strides toward a more sustainable future for us all,” La said.

[source: UC Irvine]
Jan 30, 2017Blagojce Krivevski
Volvo XC90 PHEV is 2016 Best Seller in FinlandGM and Honda to jointly build fuel-cells at Michigan factory in 2020
You Might Also Like
 
Shell Opens World’s Largest EV Charging Station In China
 
BYD to provide 200 Class 8 8TT electric trucks to Einride
Blagojce Krivevski

Blagojce Krivevski is physicist and green technology lover. Keep in touch with Blagojce through his email, web site, Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook and Google+.

January 30, 2017 Electric Car NewsBYD, Byd Electric Bus, Byd Electric Buses, electric bus, Electric Buses, Irvine, UC Irvine, University of California
Follow Us
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • google-news
  • linkedin
  • youtube
  • instagram
  • rss
Recent News
All-New Kia EV9 Priced From $54,900
September 27, 2023
Global debut of electrified Mercedes-Benz SL ‘Pagoda’ by Everrati
September 27, 2023
Polestar 3 development nears completion following successful hot weather testing
September 27, 2023
Fisker to Ramp Deliveries to 300 Vehicles Per Day; Company Has Manufactured 5,000 Fisker Ocean SUVs
September 27, 2023
Honda Specialty Sports Concept to debut at Japan Mobility Show
September 27, 2023
About
ElectricCarsReport.com ElectricCarsReport.com is a website dedicated to pure electric vehicles and the full range of consumer information and tools about electric cars, green technology energy, and the environment.
Latest News
All-New Kia EV9 Priced From $54,900
September 27, 2023
Global debut of electrified Mercedes-Benz SL ‘Pagoda’ by Everrati
September 27, 2023
Polestar 3 development nears completion following successful hot weather testing
September 27, 2023
Get in touch

Email: [email protected]

Get new stories by email:
Archives
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • google-news
  • linkedin
  • youtube
  • instagram
  • rss
DMCA.com
© ElectricCarsReport.com | All Rights Reserved.