EMBARK Receives Federal Grant for Clean Energy and Transit Vehicles

August 19, 2022

EMBARK has been awarded nearly $6.8 million from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to purchase new buses and vans. The new additions to the fleet will be compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles (EV). This competitive grant award, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,was made possible through the FTA's Low or No Emission Vehicle Program.

This is the largest competitive grant for bus replacement EMBARK has received. It is an incredible opportunity to enhance the customer experience and support our vision to become world-class transportation,” EMBARK Administrator Jason Ferbrache said."Being awarded this competitive grant for fleet needs provides flexibility to use existing resources for other capital investment within the system."

Compressed natural gas is a near-zero emission fuel, is easier on engine components, and is more economical to operate and maintain. Electric vehicles produce no emissions. EMBARK celebrated the opening of its on-site CNG fueling and EV charging stations in 2020.

EMBARK will purchase the new, American-made buses and vans through competitive procurement process and expects to have the vehicles ready for service within the next two years. Currently, more than half of EMBARK's fleet of 73 fixed-route buses are CNG, electric or hybrid vehicles. The funding will help EMBARK reach its goal of becoming a 100% alternative-fueled fleet by 2025.

Additionally, the City of Norman was awarded a nearly $900,000 grant from the FTA to purchase CNG vehicles for its transit fleet. Since 2019, EMBARK has operated Norman's public transit service through an interlocal agreement between the cities.