CU Boulder secures $3.4M in funding for electric buses
In the ongoing march to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, CU Boulder has been awarded two separate grants totaling $3.4 million to support the expansion of the electric Buff Bus fleet. The funding, which comes from both state and federal environmental initiatives, will help reduce the campus’s carbon footprint and improve sustainable transportation options for students, faculty and staff. The four new buses will add to the four existing electric buses for a total of eight, accounting for 40% of CU Boulder’s 20-bus fleet.
“As an institution of higher learning, we have a responsibility to lead by example,” Chancellor Justin Schwartz said. “By integrating electric buses into our transportation system, we’re helping to safeguard our environment and demonstrating our commitment to our Climate Action Plan, which calls for the electrification of our entire fleet."
The first grant, valued at $1.6 million, was provided by the the Clean Fleet Enterprise Clean Fleet Vehicle and Technology Grant Program, which is a statewide competitive application process for new fleet vehicles, vehicle conversions and clean fleet technology. This grant will go toward the purchase of two more 40-foot buses, which are expected to be in service by summer 2025.
The second grant, amounting to $1.8 million, was awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency, which supports the transition to electric vehicles nationwide as part of their mission to protect human health and the environment. This grant will help purchase two 60-foot buses, which are expected to be operational by early 2026.
Both grants will go toward the purchase of the buses, as well as the infrastructure needed to support them, such as charging stations, technician training and maintenance equipment. Once the new buses are put into service, CU Boulder will retire four diesel buses from its fleet.
The university has set ambitious goals for the next decade, including a reduction in campuswide greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. The electric bus initiative is an important component of these plans, which also include investments in additional transportation strategies, energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, sustainable building practices and waste reduction programs.
“We are thrilled to receive this funding, which will allow us to continue to advance our efforts in building a more sustainable and resilient campus,” Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Resilience Chris Ewing said. “This investment in electric buses is a key milestone for our long-term environmental strategy. It aligns with our commitment to reducing emissions and supporting green technologies that not only benefit our campus but also contribute toward the goals of our climate action plan.”
CU Boulder’s Transportation Services team will hold another bus naming contest ahead of their debut to bring attention to the electric buses and encourage students, faculty and staff to embrace cleaner transportation options.