The University at Buffalo has introduced eight GILLIG battery-electric buses as the first vehicles in its Stampede campus transport fleet to move away from diesel.
The 40-foot (12.2-metre) buses are being operated by UB’s transportation provider WeDriveU, with fleet electrification company Zenobē providing charging infrastructure and operational support.
The buses are now transporting students, staff and visitors across the university’s campuses. The Stampede service carries around 16,000 passengers each day.
The introduction forms part of the university’s “10 in 10” roadmap, which aims to transition to a zero-emissions campus by 2030. The full Stampede fleet will be converted in phases over the next four years.
The transition is expected to avoid approximately 5,984 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the service by 55.6% compared with diesel-powered operations. The university equates this reduction to removing around 1,395 cars from the road.
Christopher Austin, UB Director of Parking and Transportation said:Our goal is to provide safe, reliable transportation while continuing to reduce our environmental impact. These buses help us do both. They improve the rider experience today and represent another investment in the future of mobility at UB.
Ten chargers have been installed at WeDriveU’s customer service centre in Buffalo to support the electric Stampede buses.
The project follows UB’s selection of WeDriveU to manage campus transportation in June 2024. WeDriveU and Zenobē subsequently worked with the university to deliver the electric bus and charging infrastructure project.
The transition also supports New York State’s wider emissions targets. UB said its 2030 target is ahead of the 2045 deadline established under New York Executive Order 22 for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles operated by the state.
Matt Curwood, Vice President, Business Development – Transit, Zenobē North America said:Fleet operators and institutions need confidence that their electric buses will be ready to perform every day. Zenobē’s giving that certainty through thoughtful planning, reliable charging infrastructure and long-term operational support. It’s gratifying to see UB’s fleet in service.
The remaining diesel buses will be phased out as UB continues its fleet transition over the coming four years.
