Udall, Heinrich, Luján Announce $1.48 Million For Los Alamos Electric Buses

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich andU.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján announced that the Department of Transportation has awarded Los Alamos Atomic City Transit $1.485 million through the Low or No Emission Grant Program to purchase new zero-emission battery electric buses to replace the City's existing diesel fleet.

Atomic City Transit offers transit service in both Los Alamos and White Rock, ADA complementary paratransit, and a shuttle service to Bandelier National Monument during peak visitor season. This project is the first stage of the County of Los Alamos's effort to introduce low or no emissions vehicles. Battery electric buses reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. It's estimated that over the 12-year life of a typical bus, replacing just one diesel transit bus with a zero-emission battery electric bus can save over 2.4 million pounds of direct emissions.

“The introduction of electric buses into Los Alamos County’s public transit system demonstrates New Mexico’s growing commitment to clean energy technology,” said Udall. “This grant enables Los Alamos to begin the transition to energy-efficient electric buses. These buses are cheaper to maintain and produce zero tailpipe emissions, proving that these technologies can reduce costs as well as our carbon footprint. Most importantly, this investment helps the county better serve its ridership — the people of Los Alamos and White Rock will enjoy a safer environment and cleaner, quieter public transit. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I’ll keep fighting to unleash federal investment in our communities to protect our environment and advance our clean energy economy.”

"Once again, Los Alamos is leading the way, this time by making the transition to all electric public transit," said Heinrich, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.  "The electrification of the transportation sector, including public transit, will be critical in solving our climate and carbon pollution challenges.  I am proud to support this grant for Los Alamos as it helps to accelerate the transition to an emission free transportation sector." 

“This grant will support the Atomic City Transit in incorporating new, electric buses into their transit circulation. This will save the city money, reduce emissions, and is an important step forward in bringing the latest technology to Los Alamos’s transit system, “ said Luján. “The cost to fuel electric and fuel-efficient vehicles can be half of a conventional engine. As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I look forward to encouraging the greater adoption of electric vehicles to enable more affordable transportation, a cleaner environment, and to promote greater energy security for the United States.”