EV vs. Hydrogen Buses: How U.S. Public Transit Agencies Are Navigating the Zero-Emission Transition

As American cities race toward cleaner, greener transportation, public transit agencies are at the forefront of adopting zero-emission buses. The two leading technologies-battery-electric (EV) and hydrogen fuel cell buses-each offer unique benefits and challenges. Drawing on robust data from the U.S. Department of Energy, agency case studies, and international trends, this post explores how agencies are charting the future of zero-emission transit.

Adoption Trends: Battery-Electric Leads, Hydrogen Expands

Battery-electric buses (BEBs) currently dominate U.S. zero-emission fleets, with over 7,000 in service nationwide. States like California, New York, and Florida are leading adopters, propelled by federal incentives and ambitious state mandates. However, hydrogen fuel cell buses are gaining traction, especially for agencies facing range and refueling challenges with BEBs. Recent years have seen a 55% increase in hydrogen bus deployments, with agencies in California, Ohio, Connecticut, and Washington piloting and expanding their fleets.

Performance & Suitability: Matching Tech to Service Needs

• EV Buses: Highly energy-efficient (85–90%), ideal for urban routes with predictable schedules. Typical range is 150–350 miles per charge, but charging can take several hours.
• Hydrogen Buses: Offer longer ranges (200–370 miles), rapid refueling, and better performance on longer or high-frequency routes-making them a strong fit for bus rapid transit (BRT) and intercity corridors.
  

Costs & Infrastructure: Investment and Operational Realities

EV buses generally have lower operating costs due to cheaper electricity and simpler maintenance. Hydrogen buses are about 2.3 times more expensive per mile, mainly due to fuel and infrastructure costs. Building charging or hydrogen refueling infrastructure is a significant investment, with hydrogen stations adding extra complexity and expense.

Environmental Impact: Decarbonizing the Fleet

Both technologies eliminate tailpipe emissions. The environmental benefit of EVs depends on the local electricity grid’s cleanliness, while hydrogen buses are only as clean as their fuel source. Most U.S. hydrogen is currently produced from natural gas, but agencies plan to transition to “green hydrogen” as it becomes available.

Agency Spotlight: Community Transit’s Mixed-Fleet Innovation

Community Transit in Snohomish County, WA, is a pioneer in integrating both battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses. In 2024, it became the first agency in Puget Sound to pilot a hydrogen fuel cell bus, complementing its battery-electric fleet. Their modeling shows BEBs can cover about 73% of service blocks, but hydrogen buses are essential for the remaining 27%, especially on longer, high-frequency routes. Community Transit’s long-term plan targets a 100% zero-emissions fleet by 2044, with a full transition possible by 2038 if pilots go well. The agency is investing $65.6 million for procurement of 19 hydrogen fuel cell buses and 10 battery-electric buses to be delivered in 2027, and plans to shift from conventional to green hydrogen as the market matures. For more details on their ambitious rollout, see Community Transit’s hydrogen bus pilot on The Urbanist.

Agency Spotlight: CapMetro’s Strategic Pause in Austin

CapMetro in Austin, TX, is taking a cautious, data-driven approach. After deploying 104 battery-electric buses, CapMetro has paused further purchases due to challenges with reliability, charging infrastructure, and workforce development. This pause allows the agency to optimize its current fleet, train technicians, and evaluate emerging technologies like hydrogen fuel cell and solid-state batteries before making further investments. For a deeper dive into CapMetro’s evolving strategy and broader transit trends, check out the Stop Requested podcast at stoprequested.com.

National Hydrogen Bus Evaluation: U.S. Department of Energy Data

According to the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), hydrogen fuel cell bus projects are active or in development at over two dozen U.S. transit agencies. California leads with deployments at AC Transit, SunLine Transit, Orange County Transportation Authority, and Foothill Transit. SunLine operates the largest fleet, with 17 hydrogen buses and more in planning. SARTA (Ohio) and CTTransit (Connecticut) are key leaders outside California. Other projects span Hawaii, Nevada, New York, Illinois, Arizona, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. These agencies use a mix of hybrid and battery-dominant hydrogen fuel cell buses, with most vehicles supplied by New Flyer, ENC, or BYD and powered by Ballard or Plug Power fuel cells. Funding comes from federal, state, and local sources, including FTA Low-No and TIGER grants. NREL’s ongoing evaluations provide valuable performance, cost, and infrastructure data to inform future zero-emission transit deployments. For more on NREL’s fuel cell bus evaluations, visit NREL Fuel Cell Electric Bus Evaluations.

International Perspective: Europe and Asia’s Rapid Expansion

Internationally, battery-electric buses account for about 95% of Europe’s zero-emission fleet, but hydrogen buses are growing fast-up 82% in Europe in 2024. Major tenders, such as Solaris’s 130 hydrogen buses for Bologna, Italy, and rapid expansion in China and South Korea, highlight hydrogen’s emerging role for long-range and high-frequency routes. However, hydrogen buses remain more expensive to operate, underscoring their complementary role alongside BEBs. For a global overview, see Sustainable Bus: Fuel cell buses in public transport.

Conclusion: A Dual-Track Future for U.S. Transit

Most U.S. agencies see battery-electric buses as the backbone of urban fleet electrification, while hydrogen fuel cell buses are emerging as a complementary solution for longer, more demanding routes. Agencies like Community Transit and CapMetro are piloting both technologies, investing in infrastructure, and preparing their workforces for the transition. As technology matures and green hydrogen becomes more accessible, both solutions will be critical to delivering clean, reliable public transit for decades to come.

For more insights on the transition to zero-emission transit, tune in to the Stop Requested podcast, your stop for all things transit.