St. Petersburg (Florida) Gets 2 Electric Buses

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The use of two newly acquired, clean, quiet, all-electric buses is starting in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. The Sierra Club reports that the BYD electric buses coming to St. Pete and other locations in Pinellas County will run as often as possible this year so that more people can experience them and their emissions-cutting potential is maximized.

It’s relaxing to experience the high quality of peaceful zero-emissions travel, a headache-free electric bus that smoothly takes you where you’re going. Earth Day, April 22, at Williams Park in St. Petersburg, Florida, will also showcase these new electric buses if you live in the area and want to experience them but don’t use the bus routes they are running on.

Phil Compton of the Sierra Club

Sierra Club Senior Organizing Representative Phil Compton commented on the new buses:

“Downtown St. Pete’s busy streets are a great place for PSTA to begin electric bus service. These buses don’t have tailpipes, and today the electricity they use creates just 20% of the carbon emitted by any new diesel or natural gas bus. That percentage will steadily decline towards zero % for electric buses as we add more solar to the grid, while all other types of buses stay just as dirty as they are today. Eliminating unhealthy smog and carbon emissions from diesel buses is consistent with St. Petersburg’s commitment to completely end all use of fossil fuels in the community. PSTA will be a great partner with Duke Energy and the City to make this switch away from oil consumption, just as the entire city moves from coal and natural gas to solar and energy-efficient buildings. Today PSTA shows the way for St. Pete and Pinellas County truly being ready for 100% clean energy for all.”

Note that St. Petersburg (aka “God’s Waiting Room”) recently set a 100% renewable electricity target (or you might say a 100% energy freedom target).

Following this electric bus launch, I hope local school boards reflect on the advantages financially and healthwise and choose to transition to electric school buses (as California is choosing). It is necessary to protect children’s health. I know Phil Compton and the Sierra Club ceaselessly work towards cleaner air — and protecting the health of our youngest neighbors. It was heavily involved with promoting electric buses to the board of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) for years. Consider helping to fund the Sierra Club’s great work as a thanks.

“In this beginning the PSTA will use the buses to provide a clean, quiet ride to popular waterfront shops and restaurants on St. Petersburg’s Beach Drive, the Tampa Bay region’s most beautiful and challenging urban place to park a car.” The agency will reportedly save taxpayer funds with the electric buses. PSTA’s new BYD electric buses will also eliminate noise and air pollution in the city. When the transition is complete, the city will breathe more deeply.

BYD reps were joined by PSTA CEO Brad Miller, PSTA Finance Committee Chair Joe Barkley and Sierra Club’s Phil Compton and Craig McCorkle after board vote approving purchase of PSTA’s 1st 2 electric buses

Read more about the news from the Sierra Club.

Related Stories:

Our electric bus archives

China Electric Bus Sales Still Exploding

BYD K9 Electric Bus Takes Maiden Trip In Long Beach, California

Leonardo DiCaprio Is New Brand Ambassador In China For BYD’s “New Energy” Vehicles

The Rural School Bus Pilot Project — California Air Resources Board To Award Up To $10 Million For School Bus Electrification


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Cynthia Shahan

Cynthia Shahan, started writing after previously doing research and publishing work on natural birth practices. Words can be used improperly depending on the culture you are in. (Several unrelated publications) She has a degree in Education, Anthropology, Creative Writing, and was tutored in Art as a young child thanks to her father the Doctor. Pronouns: She/Her

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