New vehicles emit zero greenhouse gas emissions and help further RTC’s sustainability goals
LAS VEGAS – Today, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), along with NV Energy and the Nevada Conservation League, celebrated the addition of four battery electric buses to the RTC transit fleet. These new vehicles further the RTC’s sustainability goals and provide air quality benefits for the residents and visitors of Southern Nevada.
Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV); RTC Board Chair and Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones; RTC CEO M.J. Maynard; NV Energy Vice President of Integrated Energy Services Marie Steele; and Nevada Conservation League Executive Director Kristee Watson were on hand to unveil one of the new buses.
“As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I helped craft and pass multiple pieces of legislation that improve connectivity in Southern Nevada while protecting our environment,” said Rep. Dina Titus. “Today we see the results with crucial funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) that will enable the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada to procure four battery electric buses. These investments, particularly in green technologies like zero-emission buses, will have far reaching benefits for our community, such as reducing carbon emissions and improving public health.”
Funded by 5307 Formula Fund and NV Energy’s Economic Recovery Transportation Electrification Plan (ERTEP) grants, the new buses provide Southern Nevada with environmentally friendly alternatives to support a greener community.
“The RTC is committed to furthering its goal of converting to a zero-emission fleet,” said Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones. “Thanks to very generous funding through Congresswoman Titus, our federal delegation, and NV Energy, we are able to add new technology that benefits our transit customers, residents and visitors while reducing our carbon footprint.”
“The evolution of NV Energy’s electric vehicle programs – including the creation of the Transit Electrification Grant – that supported RTC Southern Nevada’s introduction of electric buses into their fleet would not be possible without the partnership and commitment from the Nevada Legislature, the Nevada Public Utilities Commission of Nevada and so many others,” said Marie Steele, NV Energy Vice president of Integrated Energy Services. “At NV Energy, we are proud to continue to support our communities’ decarbonization efforts and bring more federal funding back to Nevada, with a commitment to providing for historically underserved communities, which is exactly where these buses will travel.”
“Today’s announcement is more than just the unveiling of electric buses; it’s a testament to our collective commitment to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Southern Nevada,” said Nevada Conservation League’s Executive Director, Kristee Watson. “Nevada is taking steps to reduce air pollution, improve public health, boost our economy, and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. And it’s all thanks to federal and state investments like our nation’s Clean Energy Plan and the passage of the Nevada Clean Trucks and Buses Incentive Program. Together, we’re building a cleaner, more prosperous, and safer future for our region and our planet.”
The four 40-foot battery electric buses are more efficient and less expensive to operate than traditional diesel buses and can store approximately 525kWh on board. Offering a smoother, quieter and vibration-free ride for passengers, the new buses do not emit greenhouse gases, making them a vital tool in reducing air pollution in urban areas.
Additional information on the new battery electric buses can be found at rtcsnv.com/ridezero.
About the RTC
The RTC is the regional authority overseeing public transit, metropolitan planning, roadway funding, traffic management, and the public bike share system. The RTC’s vision is to advance regionally transformative mobility solutions through equitable, innovative and sustainable infrastructure development. The RTC’s mission is to elevate quality of life for residents and visitors through sustainable planning, collaborative problem-solving, and safety and equitable transportation service. For more information about the RTC and our major initiatives or to download the rideRTC app, visit rtcsnv.com. Stay informed by subscribing to our blog or following us on social media.
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