LA Metro Approved 220 Electric Transit Buses
The region is upgrading its public transit fleet to zero-emission models ahead of the 2028 Olympic games.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors has approved a contract for 220 new battery-electric buses. These 40-foot vehicles are designed to modernize the transit fleet for the upcoming 2028 Olympic games.
Why it matters
This award marks a significant step in the regional transition toward a zero-emission bus fleet while supporting manufacturing jobs in Southern California. The fleet expansion is timed to increase transit capacity and sustainability as the region prepares for increased global visitors.
The order includes 220 AXESS EVO-BE buses, which feature up to 738 kWh of energy storage. This is the largest base award for 40-foot battery-electric transit buses recorded by any U.S. transit agency.
The players
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
The regional agency responsible for transit operations and infrastructure planning in the Los Angeles area.
ENC
A bus manufacturer founded in 1975 that specializes in heavy-duty transit vehicles and is a subsidiary of Rivaz Inc.
BAE Systems
An international engineering firm that provides the electric drive propulsion systems used in the new transit bus fleet.
The details
The buses utilize a 304-grade stainless steel structure to ensure durability for heavy urban transit use. Each unit is equipped with a BAE Systems Gen3 electric drive system to manage power delivery. Production takes place at a 227,000-square-foot facility in Jurupa Valley, where local workers handle frame welding, paint application, final assembly, and performance testing.
Timeline
1975: The founding year of the bus manufacturer ENC.
September 24, 2026: The LA Metro Board officially approved the 220-bus award.
2028: The year Los Angeles will host the Olympic games.
The Home Front
This procurement follows the national trend of large-scale electrification initiatives supported by the FTA Zero Emission Research Opportunity (ZERO) program. It represents a major infrastructure shift as transit agencies across the U.S. move toward long-term fleet electrification mandates.
Residents should anticipate expanded transit capacity and quieter street-level bus traffic as these zero-emission vehicles integrate into the local network by 2028. Tracking local route updates and service expansions will help households plan for the increased utility of public transit.
The takeaway
The move to electric buses reflects a broad effort to reduce regional emissions ahead of high-profile international events. Families can monitor the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority website for future project updates and potential impacts on local bus routes.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the transition to Electric Vehicles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fuelcellsworks.
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Should your local transit agency prioritize replacing all diesel buses with electric models?
