Everett Transit replaced aging diesel buses with 40-foot electric buses funded through an FTA grant. They chose depot charging over on-route charging due to high costs and land ownership issues. The buses are charged overnight at the depot. Implementing the electric bus system required ordering buses from Proterra, installing charging infrastructure with the local utility, training drivers and mechanics, and modifying facilities like installing an in-ground bus lift. Lessons learned included the need for specialized equipment, parts, training, and addressing driver concerns over issues like electromagnetic radiation and radio interference during acceleration. Reliability of early chargers was also an initial issue.

1. Everett Transit /
Motor Vehicle Division
Experiences
Tony Cademarti
Fleet Program Manager
City of Everett, Motor Vehicle Division/Everett Transit
tcademarti@everettwa.gov

2. Choices That Were Made
• Funding: FTA partnership grant with Proterra for 40 ft. electric buses
• Depot Charging over On-Route Charging:
• High cost and land ownership issues with on-route charging
• University of Texas Austin study for extended range buses with depot
charging

3. Why Choices Were Made
• Need to replace a number of buses (six 1996-vintage Orion buses,
six 2001-vintage Orion buses and three 2002-vintage Orion buses) in
short order
• Only grants available at the time were for electric buses (had
experience with diesel-electric hybrid buses already)
• Later, public declaration of transition to fully electric fleet of 36
electric buses by 2030 (50% electric by 2023- 18 buses)

4. How Implemented Solutions
• Buses- Order process for buses with Proterra (at the time,
Configurator)
• Infrastructure- Work with local electric utility (SNOPUD), Bid process
for installation of conduit, wiring, and chargers, lay groundwork for
future expansion of charging infrastructure (extra conduit)
• Chargers- switched from ChargePoint CPE250s to Proterra PCS and
Dispenser system due to slowdown in production of CPE250s.
• Training- Drivers (Train the Trainer-style) and Mechanics training by
Proterra fly-away trainers
• Fall Protection System- Miller SkyOrb

5. Lessons Learned
• Not just another bus purchase- complete “system”
• Shop design, i.e. in-ground lift design modification to work with
independent suspension (possibly Proterra-only)
• Need for “shop charger”- extra expense and infrastructure needs
• New PPE required (arc-flash gear, EH-rated shoes/boots, etc.)
• Unique parts/labor requirements, i.e. large-one piece windshield replacement
• https://www.wired.com/story/electric-buses-havent-taken-over-world/
• Get ready to possibly hear “no” from manufacturer on desired
configuration
• Irregularities between units (quality issues)
• Driver buy-in necessary (training, mindset, etc.)

6. Lessons Learned
• Electromagnetic radiation concern by drivers (perception, not a real
concern, as proven by testing)
• Interference with AM radio reception during acceleration
• Composite body and 20-ply tires- harsher ride (other buses in fleet have
16-ply tires and metal frames)
• Charger unreliability (at first)
• Need a dedicated Project Manager for initial purchase requirements-
don’t split duties of infrastructure and bus procurement (Tony’s opinion)
• Not an island- lessons learned from other agencies
• Pierce Transit: https://www.piercetransit.org/electric-bus/
• King County Metro:
https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/programs-
projects/innovation-technology/zero-emission-fleet.aspx