California City Marks Milestone in Charging Initiative

The city of Fairfield, California, Transportation Division, responsible for the city’s transit service (FAST), has added new cutaway buses, microtransit vans, a Pioneer eBoost charging trailer, and the first three 35-foot Gillig Battery-Electric Zero-Emission Buses. 

The buses mark FAST’s first zero-emission transit vehicles and are part of an effort to transition to a 100% zero-emission fleet by 2040. The city is waiting to order the next five BEBs until the permanent infrastructure is closer to being completed.

The city is addding seven new cutaway (paratransit) buses and five new micro transit vans to the existing fleet of:

• 20 Gillig fixed route buses
• 10 cutaway (paratransit) buses

Cutaway buses are used for paratransit service and the vans will be used for microtransit, which is a form of dial-a-ride. 

A Breakdown of Fairfield’s Move to Zero Emissions 

• In 2016, the Fairfield City Council adopted the FAST Alternative Fuels and Fleet Replacement Policy. This was completed in anticipation of the Innovative Clean Transit regulation, which requires fully zero-emission transit fleets by 2040.
• In 2017, FAST was awarded $1.2 million to purchase zero-emission buses through the Federal Transit Administration’s Bus and Bus Facilities Competitive Program. 
• In 2022, FAST was awarded another $12 million through the same program for battery-electric buses, infrastructure, and workforce development. 

FAST’s path to a zero-emission fleet is guided by the city of Fairfield’s Corporation Yard Electrification Buildout Plan Report which was completed in April. The report outlines a buildout and implementation plan that identifies available technology, infrastructure needs, funding, and maintenance requirements that will be key for a successful transition to zero-emission.

The city’s zero-emission bus rollout plan, approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in July 2023, included FAST successfully securing three grants over five years from the Federal Transit Administration totaling almost $15 million, according to Public Works Transportation Manager Diane Feinstein, who oversees the city’s FAST transit system called FAST.

This funding was matched with Transportation Development Act funds to purchase the three new electric buses. City Fleet Division and FAST staff collaborated to oversee the procurement of FAST’s first three battery electric buses.

This FTA funding will also be used to cover the cost of the first phase of infrastructure improvements at the Fairfield Corporation Yard. This project is 70% designed with construction set to begin in 2025 with completion in late 2026.

Finding a Charging Solution in the Interim 

Because the infrastructure improvements will not be completed for two-plus years, FAST had to identify another charging alternative. 

“This was challenging because there is still limited availability of temporary or backup power solutions if the power grid is unavailable," Feinstein said during the unveiling. FAST, along with fleet staff, decided to work with AssetWorks to purchase a propane-powered generator, which is capable of simultaneously charging two battery electric buses. 

The city obtained a permit from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to operate the unit, which can also be used as a backup charging solution during Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) or other power outages.  

The 53’ semi-trailer has a renewable propane-powered genset that powers a Charge Point Power Block 200kWh level 3 DC charger. The dual port charger can charge two BEBs at 100kWh each.  

According to Mike Terreri, senior EV product manager at AssetWorks, the process of designing and delivering the equipment took approximately eight months from the order date. 

When the permanent charging and infrastructure project is completed, the generator will continue to be used as a backup charging option in case of a PSPS.

“Charging infrastructure has significantly evolved over the past few years. Previously, charging options were limited and comparatively slow, making it challenging for fleet operations,” noted Terreri. “Today, with advancements in DC Fast Charging technology, vehicles can be charged much more quickly…enabling more efficient fleet charging operations. For the future, fleets need to plan for increased usage, site upgrades, and resiliency.”