Dear Neighbor:

This week, I participated in a ceremony announcing King County's purchase of up to 73 all-electric battery buses.

This fleet of electric battery buses is an important step forward in achieving sustainable and clean transportation to protect our environment. In the future, these buses will also serve the South King County region, including Auburn and Federal Way.

The 40-foot buses are manufactured by Proterra and have an estimated range of 25 miles, with a quick charging time of just 10 minutes. Maintenance costs of all-electric battery buses are expected to decline versus hybrid-diesels, primarily because they have fewer moving parts. Eight of the buses are slated to go into service this year; 12 more in 2019.

Here I am meeting with Proterra CEO Ryan Popple and King County Executive Dow Constantine, who has been a national leader in this transition.

With best wishes,

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember