Washington Metro’s first two 60-foot electric buses have entered service on route W4 from Anacostia to Deanwood.
The New Flyer Xcelsior vehicles emit no tailpipe emissions and offer a smoother and quieter ride.
These buses are the first to help Metro meet its goal of operating an entirely zero-emission bus fleet by 2042.
Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke said:These new buses will help improve air quality for our communities. One of the most underrated aspects of the electric bus is the reduction in sound pollution in our cities. All of this goes toward our sustainability goals of combating climate change and ensuring DMV residents have healthy, livable neighbourhoods.
These new electric buses also feature improved customer amenities such as digital passenger information screens, USB charging ports and new fare boxes.
Their performance and battery charge levels will be remotely monitored by Metro’s maintenance and operations staff.
The range of these vehicles will be enhanced by regenerative braking, prior to the units being recharged at the Shepherd Parkway Bus Division.
Washington Metro has also already placed orders for ten more electric buses, with deliveries expected to begin in 2024. In the meantime, about 40% of its 1,600-bus fleet are hybrid-electric buses.
