California’s AVTA becomes North America’s first all-electric transit agency

California’s AVTA becomes North America’s first all-electric transit agency. The milestone has been achieved with the delivery of its 20th MCI electric coach, that joins 57 BYD e-buses and 10 GreenPower EV Star Microtransit vans.

AVTA is the transit agency serving the cities of Palmdale, Lancaster, and Northern Los Angeles County in California, with an annual ridership over three million. 

AVTA is the first North American electric transit agency

The achievement was celebrated by AVTA during a formal event held in Lancaster, California, alongside its Board of Directors, California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) representatives, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, and MCI representatives, who also celebrated the delivery of AVTA’s twentieth MCI electric coach. 

“Long before we saw an electric bus rolling down the streets of the Antelope Valley, the AVTA Board envisioned a future with a greener and technologically superior transit system serving the citizens of Lancaster, Palmdale, and the rural northern Los Angeles County communities,” said Marvin Crist Chairman of the Board, AVTA. “The Board cast a vision and the AVTA staff brought that vision to life.” 

MCI partners with AVTA for its transition to ZEBs

MCI congratulated the Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) on announcing the completion of its transition to a 100% zero-emission transit fleet. 

The agency purchased 24 D45 CRT LE CHARGE battery-electric coaches from MCI as part of its transition to a zero-emission fleet, the first of which delivered last fall. The order was supported by Federal Transit Administration funds and replaced AVTA’s end-of-life vehicles with high-capacity, emission-free coaches, ultimately moving AVTA to fulfillment of CARB’s Innovative Clean Transit (“ICT”) regulation which mandates transition to 100% zero-emission bus (“ZEB”) fleets by 2040. 

MCI’s D45 CRT LE CHARGE was launched in May 2021. It features high-torque electric drive systems for operation at highway speeds, up to 170 miles of range, and plug-in battery charging to 100 percent in less than four hours. It also exhibits design advancements of the next generation D series, introduces MCI’s innovative low entry vestibule, and integrates proven CHARGE technology propulsion from New Flyer. 

“We are proud to congratulate AVTA in reaching this significant zero-emission milestone and setting the pace for agencies across America,” said Chris Stoddart, President, North American Bus and Coach, NFI. “With our fully accessible MCI electric coaches, AVTA is leveraging enhanced regenerative braking and high-energy batteries to provide emission-free urban commuting – and together – we are delivering cleaner, quieter mobility in North Los Angeles County.” 

Also BYD congratulates AVTA

Also BYD congratulated the Antelope Valley Transit Authority. 57 of AVTA’s 87 battery electric coaches and buses were built by BYD at its Lancaster Coach & Bus Manufacturing facility.

“This is an important and wonderful accomplishment,” said Stella Li, President BYD Americas. “We’re proud to have worked closely with AVTA to make this happen and know it’s the beginning of great things for all Californians.”

Portions of the fleet were purchased with the help of state funding, including $28.5 million from the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) administered by Caltrans and the California State Transportation Agency.