GILLIG has won a contract to supply up to 395 battery electric buses for King County Metro in Washington state.
The new five-year contract includes an initial order for 89 GILLIG low-floor electric buses. In addition, King County Metro has options to purchase up to 306 additional vehicles at a later date.
This order marks King County Metro’s first procurement of GILLIG battery-electric buses. The transit agency operates in and around the greater Seattle area in Washington state. The initial deployment of these buses will equip King County Metro’s first fully electrified bus depot in Tukwila, Washington, which is currently under construction.
The buses operating out of this depot will contribute to cleaner air quality in the surrounding south King County communities, where air pollution is currently higher than other parts of the region.
“Acquiring these next-generation battery-electric buses from GILLIG moves us closer to our goal of being the first large transit agency in North America that is 100% zero-emission. With these new additions to our fleet, our community members, customers, and operators will benefit from cleaner air as we continue to combat climate change. We look forward to welcoming the new buses to King County and introducing them to our routes and riders.”
The GILLIG low-floor electric buses for King County Metro will feature 686 kWh of onboard ultra-high-density energy storage to enable the vehicles to operate across an extended range.
They will also be equipped with opportunity charging capabilities, as well as plug-in charging to provide operational flexibility while maximising service uptime.
The vehicles from GILLIG are known for safety, reliability and performance, having achieved the highest performing score of any zero-emission bus tested at the Altoona Bus Research and Testing Center.
“We are proud to support King County Metro in their industry-leading transition to the first fully zero-emissions fleet in America. This order is not just a significant achievement for GILLIG; it is a testament to the strength of this long-standing customer partnership. We continue to proudly design, build, and support the best performing, safest, and most reliable transit buses as we work hard to achieve the shared vision for both GILLIG and King County Metro for a more sustainable, accessible, and equitable future.”
