BY Rob Lorei
On Radioactivity Friday, we talk with two USF students who wants their school to switch to using electric buses on campus. The current fleet of buses that make up the Bullrunner buss system on the school’s Tampa campus is comprised entirely of vehicles that run on diesel and biodiesel. Today we are joined by Hollyn Hartlep, with the Student Environmental Association (SEA) at USF, and Lauren Jones, president of Environmental Policy Advocates at USF, who wants the university to use its Student Green Energy Fund supplement the upfront costs to switch to environmentally friendly electric buses. Next Wednesday on the USF Tampa Campus there will be an electric bus demonstration and presentation to raise student awareness of sustainable energy technology.
2 Responses to “USF students push for an all electric bus system on Tampa campus”
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How does one generate electricity?…Hmmmm coal fired power plants and nuke plants. Sustainable? Yep, plenty of coal. Good quality too.
Today, net emissions from electric buses are 1/4 of those of diesel buses, even considering current sources of electricity. Diesel buses emit 3000 grams of carbon per mile, diesel hybrids 2300. HART’s new “Clean American Natural Gas” buses emit less smog-producing nitrogen oxide, but belch out 2800 grams per mile of carbon. Electric? Just 650 grams, a number that will decline towards zero over the 12-15 year life of a bus as utilities add more renewable sources. Electric buses now cost the same as diesel hybrids, and save $1/2 million in fuel and maintenance over the life of the bus compared to any other kind of bus.
Of course, USF, PSTA and any other transit agency could cut that 650 to ZERO today by charging their fleet with solar power, as many local residents charge their EVs at home now.