CARB targets airport shuttles for zero-emission mandate

California's 13 largest airports will be required to transition their fixed route airport shuttle buses to 100 percent zero-emission vehicles by 2035 with a regulation approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) on June 27.

CARB says the regulation applies to public and private fleets, including parking facilities, rental car agencies and hotels. It is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emission by at least 500,000 metric tons based on the almost 1,000 airport shuttles in operation. CARB also estimates shuttle fleet owners will benefit from an estimated $30 million in reduced fuel and maintenance costs. 

“California continues its forward march toward a zero-emission future with airport shuttles presenting a great opportunity for showcasing this process,” said CARB Executive Officer Richard Corey. “Shuttles are a vital part of airport activity. The transition to zero emission shuttles not only provides consumers with clean, quiet transport but will help further expand the reach of this ultra-clean technology into the heavy duty transportation sector.”

The rule will be phased in over a 13-year period. The rule starts in 2022, when shuttle fleets will be required to report the details of their vehicles to CARB. Starting in 2023, if fleets are replacing a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) shuttle, the replacement vehicle must also be a ZEV. CARB says the schedule is designed to allow fleets to remain eligible for incentive funding during most of the transition period, and to use their current shuttles for the remainder of their useful life. It also provides adequate time for infrastructure planning and installation. 

In December, CARB approved a rule to transition all of the state's transit buses to zero-emission vehicles by 2040.

CARB believes airport shuttles are particularly well-suited to zero-emission technology because they operate up to 200 miles per day on short, fixed routes with low average speeds in a stop-and-go pattern. Additionally, the shuttles are also centrally maintained and fueled, which presents opportunities for overnight and mid-day charging.

Recent efforts by airports to transition to ZEV shuttles include Los Angeles International Airport, which purchased 20 battery-electric buses, Mineta San José International Airport, which deployed 10 battery-electric buses in early May and San Francisco International Airport, which purchased six buses and three plug-in chargers. CARB notes that in addition to 48 ZEVs currently operating, nearly 100 additional zero-emission shuttles have been ordered, many of which have been awarded incentive funding through the state. Combined, on-order and currently operating ZEV shuttles represent more than 15 percent of all airport shuttles in California, but CARB believes increased adoption of these technologies is needed to meet air quality and climate goals. 

CARB staff will work with airport shuttle operators and stakeholders of other CARB zero-emission regulations to facilitate sharing of technology and implementation strategies.

CARB is also developing a proposal that would achieve additional emission reductions by requiring zero-emission airport ground equipment.