The Montgomery County Council voted unanimously Tuesday in favor of more than $46 million in funding for the county’s Department of Transportation to purchase 100 new zero-emission buses.
The investment aligns with goals outlined in the county’s Climate Action Plan, which aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2027 and 100% by 2035. The vehicles will be charged by one of the only microgrids in the United States that uses solar power.
The approved funding is needed due to cost increases for planned replacement of buses. Because about 100 transit buses will need to be replaced through the 2026 fiscal year, new zero-emission buses will be ordered to replace the older diesel buses.
“I just want to underscore how important and exciting this investment is,” Councilmember Evan Glass said. “This is a great investment, and I look forward to hopping on board one of these buses in the years ahead.”
