Community Transit's Drive Towards Zero-Emissions: A Shift to Hydrogen-Powered Public Transit
Key Ideas
  • Community Transit in the Puget Sound region received its first hydrogen-powered bus, part of a pilot program to transition to 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2044.
  • The agency is also testing battery electric buses to assess performance across varied routes and terrain, aiming to replace 30% of its fleet by 2030.
  • Plans are in place to establish a reliable and sustainable source of fuel cell-worthy hydrogen, acknowledging the need for 'green' hydrogen production in the region.
  • The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association (PNWH2) has plans to develop a hydrogen network in the region, although implementation progress remains to be seen.
Community Transit in the Puget Sound region has acquired its first hydrogen-powered bus as part of a broader initiative to transition to zero-emission vehicles. The agency aims to replace 30% of its fleet with such vehicles by 2030 and ultimately achieve a fully zero-emission fleet by 2044. Alongside hydrogen buses, the agency is also testing battery electric buses to evaluate performance on different routes and terrains. The challenge lies in sourcing sustainable hydrogen, especially green hydrogen, which is currently limited in the Pacific Northwest. To address this, Community Transit is exploring options for long-term hydrogen supply. In parallel, the PNWH2 is working on creating a hydrogen network in the region, with plans spanning various cities across Washington, Oregon, and Montana. While federal funding has been allocated for these projects, their implementation progress is yet to be observed. The Washington State Department of Commerce has also released recommendations for deploying green hydrogen and renewable fuels, emphasizing the need for rapid production scale-up. Despite current limitations in green hydrogen production, agencies like Lewis County Transit are exploring self-generation through electrolysis. Community Transit's comprehensive transition plan outlines a path to a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2038, combining battery electric and fuel cell buses. This plan involves infrastructure development and vehicle procurement estimates up to 2050, with continuous validation and modification based on testing of the new buses.
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