Rock Region Metro has unveiled its first five zero-emission mass transit buses, which are set to be the first of their kind in use in Arkansas.
The 40-foot Proterra ZX5 Max vehicles will begin service in July following additional staff training, the transit agency said in a news release.
The battery electric buses and charging infrastructure were primarily funded by a $4.9 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration. When the buses hit the road in central Arkansas, Rock Region Metro’s last diesel buses will be removed from service, effectively achieving a goal to complete its transition away from diesel-fueled vehicles by the end of 2025.
“The Rock Region METRO team is proud to contribute to a more sustainable future by operating Arkansas’ first electric mass transit buses,” Justin Avery, CEO of the agency, said in the release. “Sharing your ride just got even more sustainable.”
The buses have a range of 220 to 340 miles and the batteries have 12-year warranties, mirroring the Federal Transit Administration’s 12-year “useful life” designation for tracking mass transit bus asset conditions and investments.
Rock Region Metro said the first few months of operation will involve a charging management evaluation, as numerous factors affect the maximum operational range, including temperature, HVAC settings, driver behavior and terrain.
METRO will rotate the buses on seven routes of the agency’s 15 fixed routes that can support a 40-foot long vehicle.
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