Two new 60-foot New Flyer Xcelsior electric buses made their debut Nov. 13 on Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) W4 route from Anacostia to Deanwood. The buses are the first to help WMATA meet its goal of an entirely zero-emission bus fleet by 2042.
"These new buses will help improve air quality for our communities,” said WMATA General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke. “One of the most underrated aspects of the electric bus is the reduction in sound pollution in our cities. All of this goes toward our sustainability goals of combating climate change and ensuring DMV residents have healthy, livable neighborhoods.”
The New Flyer Xcelsior buses feature zero tailpipe emissions. WMATA notes improved customer amenities include digital passenger information screens, USB charging ports and new fare boxes. The buses feature a green electric plug logo and “Zero-Emission Electric Bus” on the side.
WMATA maintenance and operations staff can remotely monitor the buses' performance and battery charge levels. The buses charge at the Shepherd Parkway Bus Division and regenerative braking helps to extend the battery life.
The authority has placed orders for 10 more electric buses, with deliveries expected to begin in 2024. Currently, approximately 40 percent of WMATA’s 1,600-bus fleet are hybrid-electric buses.
