San Francisco to operate ‘part-time’ electric buses thanks to BAE Systems

San Francisco opts for BAE Systems electric motor for 68 transit buses bound to operate in the city’s Green Bus Zones. These buses will be able, thanks to Series-ER system, to switch off the combustion engine and run on electric power in planned green zones through the city.

BAE Systems announced in a press release its selection by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) to supply electric power and propulsion systems for the batch of transit buses. The same system is mounted on the double decker ADL buses in Brighton.

The Series-ER (Electric Range) system will operate on 68 transit buses and create designated zones throughout San Francisco that are free of emissions. The Series-ER system targets these hot spots to reduce emissions and improve air quality in the areas where people live, work, and visit.

California is the forerunner state in the US on the way to decarbonize bus fleets, which are expected to be zero emission by 2040. It’s the target of the Innovative Clean Transit rule, voted by California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) exactly one year ago.

San Francisco: part-time electric buses

The decision by SFMTA belongs to the path to convert public transport in San Francisco to zero emission by 2035, as each bus will now be able to drive on clean electric power through each of the areas, known as “green zones”. Buses can now switch to battery power from a combustion engine, temporarily eliminating diesel emissions when they cross the threshold of a green zone. The technology allows the city to convert the fleet into part-time electric buses as an intermediate step to full electrification.

The green zones — nine in total — are located in population-dense neighborhoods most affected by air pollution. Each of the zones have a large presence of traffic that is contributing to a high rate of air pollution.

Turn off the engine entering the green zones

“This technology helps San Francisco get one step closer to full zero emissions operations, improving the health of the city’s environment and its residents,” said Steve Trichka, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems’ Power and Propulsion Solutions business. “With Series-ER, buses are programmed using global positioning software to turn off the bus engine once it enters the green zone and operate solely on electric battery energy.”