Battery electric buses—for more sustainable public transit
Providing public transportation services throughout San Mateo County, including the California Coastline and parts of San Francisco and Palo Alto, SamTrans is looking towards a more sustainable transit system. By transitioning its entire fleet of diesel-powered transit vehicles to zero emission buses (ZEB), SamTrans anticipates a fully electric fleet by 2038. To support the transition to battery electric buses (BEBs) and system growth, they hired us to develop 30 percent design documents—a schematic design set—for electrical infrastructure upgrades at their North Base and South Base facilities.
Intending to use battery electric technologies to fulfill their goals of transitioning to BEBs, SamTrans will require significant power infrastructure investment—including smart energy management and overhead canopies for final power delivery and solar panel collection—to support the charging and management of these vehicles. With this investment, implementing BEB vehicles and corresponding chargers into SamTrans’ fleet will happen in a multi-phased bus replacement schedule that will continue through to 2038.
Our work on this project provides SamTrans with a path to implement charging infrastructure ahead of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) deadline for transitioning to a 100 percent zero emission fleet.
At a Glance
- Offices
- Client
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- samTrans
Patrick M. McKelvey , Senior Principal
Our purpose and goal is to create better places through thoughtful, creative, and responsive planning and design.
Will Todd, Senior Associate
Through the projects I work on and the relationships I form, it’s my goal to leave the world a better place than I found it.
Reb Guthrie, Principal, Fueling Infrastructure
Creative problem solving—in sometimes unexpected ways—while understanding and respecting user needs is easily the best part about my job.
Jared Weismantel, Senior Associate, Senior Designer
I thrive in an environment focused on exploration and collaboration with a commitment to efficient and holistic design solutions.
Tony Zavanelli, Principal, Energy
The best feedback is being awarded with additional work. ‘Good job’ is nice to hear, but being entrusted with another project the best way to know that you are valued.
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