Complete Coach Works (CCW) has announced that it has been chosen as the contractor that will provide the Indianapolis International Airport (IAA) with six Zero-Emission Propulsion System (ZEPS), all-electric 35 foot remanufactured buses. This will be the largest fleet of electric buses at any airport in the United States.
IAA is utilizing a Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA.) The grant is designed to reduce emissions from airport-owned vehicles and facilitate use of zero-emissions technologies at airports across the country.
According to Mario Rodriguez, executive director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, “IAA is thrilled to work with Complete Coach Works through this process resulting in our procurement of six all-electric buses to shuttle our visitors from their various parking places to our terminal. By spring of 2017, with the implementation of these new vehicles, over half our fleet will be electric, significantly lessening our dependence on their diesel predecessors.”
Rodriguez concluded, “Sustainability remains one of the fundamental goals of the IAA; we take great pride in this accomplishment, and hope it sends a clear signal to other airports throughout North America that sustainability and good business practice can often fit hand in hand!”
Ryne Shetterly, ZEPS sales manager, expressed his excitement over the collaboration between CCW and IAA, saying "Not only is this great news for Complete Coach Works and the ZEPS program, but by purchasing six rebuilt all-electric buses, IAA is sending a clear message to fleets across the country that they are ready to take the initiative to begin adopting zero-emissions technology. IAA represents the forward-thinking organizations that will be crucial for the industry moving ahead, and CCW is honored to partner with them to help reach their goals while solidifying IAA as a progressive leader in emerging sustainable technology."
The project is currently in the beginning stages and the buses are scheduled to be delivered to IAA in the third and fourth quarters of 2017.
