Charging Forward: Evaluating Public-Private Partnerships for Electric Bus Base Conversion to Support a Zero-Emission Fleet

Abstract

As transit agencies shift to a zero-emissions fleet, bus bases that function as the heart of operations will also need to convert to support a growing demand for battery-electric buses (BEB). Although there are traditional procurement methods available for transformative redevelopment of these facilities, there is opportunity to leverage a public-private partnership (P3) that can be an innovative and cost-effective project delivery method when applied appropriately and potentially result in several positive outcomes. These may include shifting finance, design, construction, operation, and maintenance risk to a private entity; augmenting and training the workforce needed for electric vehicle operations and maintenance; offering effective ownership and efficient servicing of charging equipment; spreading costs over a longer time period; and locking in energy costs.