Report: Bus Transit 80% Electric by 2040

Analysts expect electric buses to be cheaper to operate than diesel buses by 2019.

1 minute read

May 27, 2018, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"Municipal bus fleets across the world are expected to transition to 80% electric by 2040," reports Iulia Gheorghiu, sharing data from a recenet report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

"Despite the high cost to purchase e-buses and build out their charging infrastructure, BNEF forecasts operational savings by 2019 for many charging configurations, compared to the total cost of ownership of conventional diesel buses," adds Gheorghiu.

Gheorghiu also sets the report's predictions in context of two significant regulatory decisions of recent days and weeks. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is crafting regulations [pdf] that will transition the state's public transit to zero emissions by 2040. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority also in May to convert its hybrid buses to a fully electric fleet by 2035, according to a separate article by Sadie Gribbon.

For more recent coverage on the traction of electric buses int he public transit market, see also recent coverage by Planetizen.

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 in Smart Cities Dive

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today