Missoula, MT – Mountain Line, Missoula’s public transit agency, has reached a significant milestone in its electrification efforts, with 50% of its fleet now fully electric. The achievement comes four years after the agency committed to transitioning its entire fleet to electric vehicles by 2035. This progress has been largely fueled by federal grants, which have played a key role in jump-starting the agency’s ambitious electrification plans.
Jordan Hess, CEO and general manager of Mountain Line, credits the agency’s success in securing federal funding for helping cover the cost of the new electric buses. “Our team has been really successful at chasing after federal grants. And so all of these buses are primarily paid for with federal money,” Hess said.
Looking ahead, Mountain Line is far from finished with its electrification journey. The agency has 10 additional battery-electric buses on order, expected to arrive in 2025. Once these buses are added to the fleet, 26 of the agency’s 29 vehicles will be fully electric.
Electric buses offer a range of benefits over their diesel counterparts, not only reducing air pollution but also improving fuel efficiency, even in the colder months. According to Mountain Line, electric buses achieve better equivalent miles per gallon compared to traditional diesel buses.
Jennifer Sweten, Mountain Line’s director of operations, emphasized the financial advantages of electric buses. “The cost-benefit of 75¢ to $1 a mile in fuel costs for a diesel bus, as opposed to 30¢ to 45¢,” Sweten explained, highlighting the significant savings. In addition, electric buses require less maintenance, eliminating the need for oil changes and constant fluid checks.
The environmental benefits are also appreciated by Mountain Line’s drivers. Rodney Braae, a Mountain Line bus driver, expressed his satisfaction with the switch to electric buses. “On the diesels, we have what we call, regen, where they’re cleaning everything out. We obviously don’t have that, we’re running clean. That’s what I like,” he said, noting the cleaner operation of electric buses.
As Mountain Line continues its transition to an electric fleet, the community can look forward to cleaner air and quieter rides. The sound of traditional diesel engines will be replaced by the distinctive hum of electric motors. Passengers curious about whether they are riding on a new electric bus can easily spot them by checking the bus number, as the new electric buses start with the number “23.”
With the continued expansion of electric buses, Mountain Line is not only helping to reduce the city’s carbon footprint but also positioning itself as a leader in sustainable public transportation.
