UMD Welcomes Arrival of First Electric Buses in Shuttle-UM Fleet

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland on Tuesday celebrated its progress toward a new Shuttle-UM 27-bus electric fleet, a milestone in the university’s sustainability commitment propelled by a nearly $40 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
UMD President Darryll J. Pines joined university and community leaders, elected officials and members of the Department of Transportation Services to celebrate the arrival of the buses. The fleet is expected to save approximately 130,000 gallons of diesel fuel each year.

“The arrival of our first eight electric Shuttle-UM buses and their integration into our fleet is a statement of intent — that we will always be forward-looking, proactive and environmentally conscious as we grow and evolve our university operations and serve our people,” said President Pines. “It is an accomplishment that was made possible through partnership and hard work. We are incredibly grateful for the nearly $40 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration that made this possible, as well as the contributions of so many folks on our campus.”

The grant was supported by members of the Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) and U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen.

“Supporting electric bus service in and around the University of Maryland at College Park will not only help students get around campus, it will help keep our neighborhoods cleaner and quieter for all Prince Georgians,” said Rep. Ivey. “Federal dollars at work for the University, the community and our environment is a clear win-win-win for everyone. I am proud of Federal Team Maryland and our state and local partners for obtaining funding to foster these kinds of technologies for everyday use.”

“Upgrading the University of Maryland’s bus system with over two dozen electric vehicles will help students, staff and residents get where they need to go in a cleaner, more efficient way. We fought to pass the infrastructure modernization law to build updated transportation systems across Maryland – and these new buses will support cleaner air, lower fuel costs and quieter rides for the university community and its neighbors,” said Sen. Van Hollen.

The grant, awarded through the FTA's Low-No Program, funded 27 electric buses (16 at 35 feet and 11 at 40 feet) and 16 charging stations with 32 charging ports. The buses are progressively replacing Shuttle-UM's oldest vehicles, serve all of its routes and can travel close to 250 miles on a full charge.

Eight buses are already in service, and once the full fleet arrives this spring, the majority of Shuttle-UM’s fleet will be electric or hybrid. Only a handful of other universities own and operate electric buses.