HRT outlines electric-bus plan and $25 million grant for South Side facility

Hampton Roads Transit officials said the agency is planning a phased transition to an electrified fleet and is building infrastructure to support it. Deputy CEO Brian Smith said HRT has piloted six electric buses and plans a deliberate purchase of two additional electric buses as the next step in learning before larger procurement. "We have been piloting, for the last couple years. We've been able to pilot six of these vehicles," Smith told the council.

Smith said HRT secured a $25,000,000 grant earlier this year for a new South Side operating division, which the agency expects will ultimately have capacity to host up to 100 electric buses; that project is on schedule and programmed to be funded over the coming years. He added the agency is programming for 72 electric buses in its capital plan, with most purchases in later years, and noted constraints such as domestic production capacity and available funding. Staff also described a planned local pilot for 6–8 electric support vehicles at the 3400 Victoria Boulevard facility that could include public-access charging in certain hours if funding and site arrangements permit.