As part of a PennDOT program to support Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale industry, Amtran has for years now, been replacing diesel and diesel-electric buses with new vehicles that run on compressed natural gas. Most recently, the authority took delivery of seven more such vehicles, meaning there are now only three more diesel-electrics to be replaced. The plan was to fully transition Amtran to a natural gas fleet of 26 buses by 2024.
But now, the increased national emphasis on electric vehicles, throws all of that planning to the wind. Amtran now says by 2024 they could wrap up the CNG plan with the replacement of the three remaining buses, or they could be pushed into buying their first three electric buses. The worry right now is that electric bus manufacturers aren’t able yet to overcome a number of obstacles, including issues with battery technology. Electric buses need to be capable of going all day on one charge and then being fully charged by next morning. But now, some electric buses purchased by transit agencies in other areas, report many of them are now sitting idle, because they can’t go all day on a single charge.
