The Electric Bus Debacle in Antelope Valley: A Case Study in Premature Policy Implementation
14 hours ago Charles Rotter
The sudden suspension of electric battery bus services in Antelope Valley two weeks ago has unveiled significant challenges and pitfalls associated with the rush towards electrification of public transit systems, without adequately addressing reliability and infrastructure issues.
This event has left hundreds of commuters stranded, highlighting the essential gaps in planning and risk management that are too often overlooked in the fervor to adopt green technologies.
The Incident
On a seemingly ordinary Tuesday, the Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) halted all operations involving their fleet of MCI D45 battery-electric commuter coaches. This decision, made “out of an abundance of caution and for reasons outside of AVTA’s control,” abruptly affected the daily routines of countless individuals who rely on these buses for work, school, and other critical appointments. The suspension, importantly, did not impact AVTA’s local service nor their use of BYD zero-emission battery electric buses, suggesting a specific issue with the MCI D45 models.
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2024/04/28/the-electric-bus-debacle-in-antelope-valley-a-case-study-in-premature-policy-implementation/