DDOT adds four electric buses to fleet

The City of Detroit has introduced four electric buses to its DDOT fleet. The buses, which are fully paid for by a federal grant for low- or no-emission vehicles, are made by the company Proterra.

It’s part of DDOT’s effort to pilot clean energy buses as it works toward having a carbon neutral fleet by 2045.

“Based on the studies that we’ve seen, we could save up to $2,000 per month per bus.” — Mike Oglesby, City of Detroit

Mikel Oglesby is the executive director of transit for the City of Detroit. He says while electric buses cost twice as much to purchase as diesel buses, they offer a lower operating cost.

“One of the good things about that is because it’s electric it has less moving parts,” says Oglesby, “and, based on the studies that we’ve seen, we could save up to $2,000 per month per bus.”

DDOT is seeking additional federal grant money to pilot other alternative energy buses. Oglesby says, if the city’s application is approved, they would like to pilot hydrogen buses — and potentially different brands of electric bus.

“There are other companies that have electric buses also. So on this next low-no we might be tapping another company and have two additional vehicles.”

Listen: Mike Oglesby discusses Detroit’s efforts to pilot zero-emission buses.