San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in the US has purchased six 40ft Proterra Catalyst E2 electric buses and three 60kW Proterra plug-in chargers with the aim of cutting carbon emissions.

The new battery-electric bus fleet is to be used for airport ground transportation and will slash Bay Area emissions and support SFO’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2021 while also reducing its bus operating expenses.

Through its five-year strategic plan, SFO aims to achieve carbon neutrality across airport-controlled operations by 2021 and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% from a 1990 baseline.

“We have set big goals to achieve zero net energy use, zero waste, and carbon neutrality.”

The plan also recommends for the development of a Clean Vehicle Policy, aimed at using low emission vehicles by both airport departments and ground transportation providers.

The new battery-electric Proterra Catalyst buses, according to SFO, will replace six diesel buses in its current operating fleet.

They are expected to eliminate more than 23 million pounds of greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions over the 12-year life of the vehicles.

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SFO is also planning to buy more battery-electric buses to replace its CNG vehicles, for a greener and modern fleet.

SFO airport director Ivar Satero said: “SFO is an airport industry leader in sustainability, and we have set big goals to achieve zero net energy use, zero waste, and carbon neutrality.

“By deploying San Francisco’s first public battery-electric buses, we’re on the path to zero emissions in our ground transportation services, leading the way in our quest to be the world’s most sustainable airport.”

The new electric buses will shuttle passengers between the terminals, long-term parking garages and other airport locations along daily routes.

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