With the addition of 10 new electric buses, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority’s green fleet will become even greener.

But before the new buses hit the road, probably late next year, much work needs to be done to upgrade NFTA-Metro’s garage in Buffalo.

And National Grid will play a major role to get the project rolling by providing a $3 million grant.

Ryan Wheeler, National Grid’s Fleet Electrification Product Owner, said that the $3 million grant was made possible because of an allocation that New York state made to National Grid of about $5.1 million. The money is to be used to support make-ready electric vehicle charging infrastructure for electric bus projects being undertaken by NFTA and Albany-based Capital District Transit Authority. It also is is part of the state’s $701 million electric vehicle order, which was announced last summer.

“New York Power Authority is providing separate funding for new bus charging infrastructure at the garage, which will require delivery voltage to be increased from 4.16 KV to 23 KV,” said Deborah Sullivan, Manager, Customer and Community Engagement. “NFTA will also be building a new substation, to which we’ll connect new 23 KV service.”

New York state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goals call for electrifying 25 percent of transit fleets by 2025, and a 100 percent electric fleet by 2035.

“As we strive to achieve New York State’s goals of expanding the number of electric vehicles and charging stations, we’re committed to supporting the NFTA and all of our customers who aspire to bolster their fleets with zero emission vehicles,” said National Grid Regional Director Ken Kujawa.

Added NFTA Executive Director Kim Minkel, “The purchase of the buses will help reduce Western New York’s carbon footprint.”

NFTA has already taken steps to reduce the region’s carbon footprint: Its current fleet includes 323 buses, including 99 that run on compressed natural gas, 98 diesel-electric hybrids and 224 ultra-low sulfur diesel buses. The 10 new buses will cost around $10.1 million.

Wheeler said that electrifying large fleets of transit buses and medium to heavy-duty vehicles result in substantial reductions of carbon dioxide and lower particulate matter air emissions. Another benefit is providing equitable access to clean transportation within the communities that National Grid serves.

Meanwhile, National Grid is keeping one eye on the current project, and another on the road ahead.

“Looking beyond 2022, the plan is to be able to support NFTA as they continue adding more buses to reach the 100 percent clean transportation goal,” Wheeler said. “As they do, there will be significantly more electricity load, so we want to make sure that we account for additional stresses on infrastructure, and minimize total costs as we upgrade the system for the whole community.” 

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