Ride One of Duluth's Electric Buses

The transportation sector is currently the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota and in the country. One of the most effective things we can do to reduce our individual impact is to replace individual car trips with public transportation. Even when a bus is only about a quarter full of passengers, those passengers will reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by a third compared to a trip in their car. When that bus is full, the emission reduction jumps to 82%. The environmental benefits of electric buses are even better: on average, a diesel bus generates 2.5 times more emissions than an electric one. And as the electric grid continues to get cleaner, the climate benefits of electric buses charged on that grid will continue to improve.

In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, electric buses also improve local air quality. This is particularly beneficial for communities of color and lower-income neighborhoods, which are often located along busy roads and major highways. Electrifying buses, cars, and trucks reduces human exposure to harmful pollutants that cause a variety of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Resources:

• Public Transportation’s Role in Responding to Climate Change
• Reducing Your Transportation Footprint
• Electric vs. Diesel vs. Natural Gas: Which Bus is Best for the Climate?

Photo by Ellen Schmidt/eschmidt@duluthnews.com