Gillig achieves deal to provide up to 306 e-buses in Seattle area (from King County Metro)

Gillig is set tu supply as many as 89 Low Floor battery-electric buses to King County Metro, within a new five-year contract that provides the option to additionally purchase up to 306 zero-emission vehicles.

In mid-2023 King County Metro has secured $33.5 million in federal funding to support the acquisition of zero-emission buses, propelling its commitment to becoming one of the pioneering large transit agencies in North America with a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035 (in advance with the previously mentioned 2040 target). In 2021 the agency ordered 20 e-buses from New Flyer.

King County Metro awards contract to Gillig

The order marks the first procurement of Gillig battery-electric buses for King County Metro, which operates in and around the greater Seattle area in Washington state.

The agency has long been at the forefront of sustainable transit, introducing electric-powered trolleys in 1932 and incorporating the first articulated Hybrid-Electric buses in America into their fleet in 2004.

Built on Gillig’s Low-Floor platform, the model features 686 kWh of onboard ultra-high-density energy storage. The buses are equipped with opportunity charging capabilities in addition to plug-in charging.

King County wants to be the first transita agency in North America to achieve 100% zero-emission

Dow Constantine, King County Executive, highlighted the reasons behind selecting Gillig for this pivotal transition: “Acquiring these next-generation battery-electric buses from Gillig moves us closer to our goal of being the first large transit agency in North America that is 100% zero-emission. With these new additions to our fleet, our community members, customers, and operators will benefit from cleaner air as we continue to combat climate change. We look forward to welcoming the new buses to King County and introducing them to our routes and riders.”

Bill Fay, Vice President of Sales for GILLIG, expressed his enthusiasm for the project: “We are proud to support King County Metro in their industry-leading transition to the first fully zero-emissions fleet in America. This order is not just a significant achievement for GILLIG; it is a testament to the strength of this long-standing customer partnership. We continue to proudly design, build, and support the best performing, safest, and most reliable transit buses as we work hard to achieve the shared vision for both GILLIG and King County Metro for a more sustainable, accessible, and equitable future”.