Replace Diesel Buses With Battery Electric Buses in Racine, Wisconsin

Approximately $4 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Low- and No-Emission Grant will help Racine, Wisconsin, buy 13 new electric buses to replace its old diesel buses. This investment in electric buses will reduce the carbon footprint of the city by approximately 922 tons, save money, and provide faster transportation.

Historical context

• The bus system carries more than 1 million riders per year. “Racine Transit (RYDE) carries more than one million riders per year, utilizing 35 buses on ten routes and 155 miles of mixed traffic right-of-way.” – The Journal Times, June 6, 2020
• The plans to switch to electric vehicle (EV) buses began years before, with a few purchases starting the trend but the fleet still predominantly diesel. “In November 2018, the city received $6,190,906.00 from the Volkswagen Transit Capital Assistance Grant Program to fund the purchase of six electric buses and related infrastructure. The FTA grant will increase that capacity from six electric buses to nine.” – The Journal Times, June 6, 2020
• The existing diesel buses are 16 years old with half a million miles on the odometer. “‘The electric buses will replace buses that are 16 years old and have 500,000 miles on them,’ said Michael Maierle, Transit and Parking Manager for the City of Racine. ‘The new buses will run 100% cleaner, four times more efficiently, and our riders and neighbors will enjoy the quieter ride.’” – The Journal Times, June 6, 2020
• “With a population of 78,000, Racine ranks as the state’s fifth-largest municipality.” – The Journal Times, June 6, 2020
• Other cities have experienced delays in switching to EV buses: “Meanwhile, Madison Metro Transit, which received a $1.3 million grant from the FTA Low-No Program, is waiting to put its three battery-electric buses into service more than two years after they were delivered.” – Wisconsin Public Transit Association, August 22, 2022
  • “The Capital Times newspaper recently reported that the lengthy delay was mostly caused by a 10-month retrofitting process to make the bus design accessible for wheelchair access. The electric bus rollout for Madison Metro Transit is now expected for late August or early September. That transit agency already uses hybrid-electric buses in addition to its fleet of standard diesel buses.”– Wisconsin Public Transit Association, August 22, 2022

Project summary

• U.S. Federal Transit Administration funding will provide grants for green buses in Racine. “The City of Racine will receive funding to replace diesel buses with battery electric buses. The project will improve air quality, address climate change, connect workers to jobs, and play a role in workforce training related to the growing clean-energy sector of the economy.” – Federal Transit Administration, last updated October 24, 2022
• The federal funding will help to further transition the city’s fleet from diesel to electric. “The City of Racine has been awarded nearly $3.8 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Low or No Emission Vehicle Program to add four more electric buses to its fleet. The grant, announced Wednesday, means that Racine Transit (RYDE Racine) will have 13 all-electric, battery-powered buses making nearly 40 percent of its fixed-route fleet zero emission.” – Wisconsin Public Transit Association, August 22, 2022

Outcomes, improvements, and practical impact

• Clean transit investments will improve Racine’s environmental impacts. “Electric buses operate more quietly, producing less noise pollution, and have zero harmful tailpipe emissions, which will improve local air quality. Studies on school buses have shown the air quality can be worse inside the bus than outside of it, which is particularly harmful for children, as research shows that childhood asthma and related health issues are worsened by air pollution and vehicle emissions. The environmental benefits from electric transit buses and school buses are especially important for communities overburdened by pollution.” – U.S. Department of Transportation, last updated June 29, 2023
• Using electric buses generates government savings. “‘We’re going to save $60,000 a year on diesel at least,’ said Trevor Jung, Transit Manager.” – FOX6, April 27, 2022
• Electric buses operate better than diesel buses. “‘It’ll accelerate 1.5 times faster than a diesel bus. It’ll climb hills that a diesel bus cannot climb,’ said Ken Becker, Proterra’s Regional Sales Director-Midwest.” – FOX6, April 27, 2022

Climate impact

• The city of Racine is leading the way on a clean energy transition. “The four new electric buses will replace four 2011 diesel buses which have driven more than 450,000 miles combined.” – TMJ4, August 17, 2022
• Electric buses are better for the environment and community members. “‘The electric buses will replace buses that are 16 years old and have 500,000 miles on them,’ said Michael Maierle, Transit and Parking Manager for the City of Racine. ‘The new buses will run 100% cleaner, four times more efficiently, and our riders and neighbors will enjoy the quieter ride.’” – Government Technology, June 8, 2020
• Racine will decrease its carbon footprint with new buses. “Once all 13 zero-emission transit buses have replaced their diesel counterparts, The City of Racine will reduce its carbon footprint by approximately 922 tons annually, and that’s a pretty big deal.” – Wisconsin Public Transit Association, August 22, 2022

Economic impact

• Racine relies heavily on public transportation. “Racine Transit (RYDE) carries more than one million riders per year, utilizing 35 buses on ten routes and 155 miles of mixed traffic right-of-way.” – The Journal Times, June 6, 2020
• The long-standing project involves business partners: “[Michael Maierle, Transit and Parking Manager for the City of Racine] told The Journal Times on Thursday that the aggregate nine electric buses and related infrastructure will be purchased from Burlingame, Calif.-based Proterra, Inc., a leader in the design and manufacture of zero-emission buses and electric charging systems for municipal, federal and commercial transit agencies.” – The Journal Times, June 6, 2020
  • “‘We are ordering the buses now and getting into the production queue at Proterra,’” Maierle said, noting he is hoping for “‘between now and sometime in early 2021” for delivery, followed by a couple of preparatory months “to get everything organized on the ground’ prior to an anticipated mid-2021 rubber-meets-the-road rollout.” – The Journal Times, June 6, 2020

Racial equity and justice impact

• 7 percent of Racine’s residents are Black or African American, and 23.3 percent are Hispanic or Latino. – U.S. Census Bureau, last accessed September 6, 2023
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finds that people of color suffer more from exposure to harmful emissions. “White people are exposed to lower than average concentrations from emission source types causing 60 percent of overall exposure, whereas people of color experience greater than average exposures from source types causing 75 percent of overall exposure.” – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, September 20, 2021

Official supporting statements

• U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg: “Funded through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this announcement means more good jobs for people across the country, cleaner air in our communities, and more affordable and reliable options to help people get to where they need to go.” – WisPolitics, August 17, 2022
• City of Racine Mayor Cory Mason (D): “The City of Racine continues to lead the way in the transition to a cleaner and more efficient mass transit system. … It is the role of local government to provide essential quality-of-life services to our residents while being innovative and good stewards of taxpayer dollars as well as the environment. I am proud to have partners in the federal government who recognize our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and who are willing to invest resources into our City to help us achieve our shared climate goals.” – WisPolitics, August 17, 2022
  • “As a city, we want to be a leader on moving from outdated, and carbon heavy diesel buses, to new carbon-friendly electric buses. As Mayor, I am committed to lowering the city’s carbon footprint, but this also makes good fiscal sense for the city. The awards from both the FTA and from the VW program help the city avoid capital borrowing and, in the long-term, electric buses yield substantial savings on gas costs.” – The Journal Times, June 6, 2020
• Wisconsin State Rep. Greta Neubauer (D): “We know that moving off of fossil fuels sooner will help lower costs for Wisconsinites.” – FOX6, April 27, 2022
• City of Racine Transit and Mobility Director Trevor Jung: “RYDE Racine prioritizes quality service, greater savings, and improved sustainability. These zero-emission buses being added to the fleet build on the progress we have made to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality. Once all 13 zero-emission transit buses have replaced their diesel counterparts, The City of Racine will reduce its carbon footprint by approximately 922 tons annually, and that’s a pretty big deal.” – WisPolitics, August 17, 2022

Selected clips

• “City to receive $3.18 million for additional electric buses” – The Journal Times, June 6, 2020
• “Electric buses hit Racine streets; largest fleet in Wisconsin” – FOX6, April 27, 2022