The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) in Columbus was recently awarded a federal grant of $22.8 million from the Federal Transit Administration to introduce hydrogen-fueled buses into its fleet. This grant will enable COTA to purchase 10 hydrogen fuel cell buses, develop necessary infrastructure such as a refueling station, and also fund the addition of 10 electric buses to its existing 300-vehicle bus fleet. The announcement was made during a press conference at COTA’s Franklinton facility, emphasizing the commitment to cleaner and greener transportation aligned with the City of Columbus' Climate Action Plan. This move towards hydrogen technology comes amidst a larger trend of investments by President Joe Biden's administration and private automobile companies in hydrogen fuel cell technology. Biden has proposed tax credits to support hydrogen producers, signaling a significant push for industry growth. In a related development, Honda unveiled a hydrogen fuel cell powered CR-V at its plant in Marysville, with plans to produce and sell the vehicle in Ohio, leveraging California’s existing infrastructure for such vehicles. COTA's overarching goal is to transition to a zero-emissions fleet of 300 buses by 2035 and achieve net-zero carbon neutrality by 2045. This initiative aligns with the ongoing shift towards sustainable practices within the transportation sector. The organization has already introduced two electric buses in 2021 and is set to retire all 22 remaining diesel buses by the end of the current year. Additionally, COTA is awaiting a crucial November vote on its LinkUS plan, which includes a proposed sales tax increase to fund bus rapid transit lines and other infrastructure enhancements, further supporting its environmental objectives.