PSTA Introduces New Electric Buses

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), St. Petersburg, FL, has introduced the first six of 62 battery-electric buses from GILLIG, marking a milestone in the agency’s journey toward a more environmentally friendly public transportation system for Pinellas County. 

“For over three decades, our collaboration with GILLIG has been instrumental in offering safe, reliable, and now zero-emissions sustainable transit options to our community,” said PSTA CEO Brad Miller. “With the launch of GILLIG’s battery-electric buses, we’re taking a major step in our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. These buses represent a key move toward an even more sustainable and equitable future for PSTA, and we are excited to start the new year with these buses!”

This first wave of buses and the additional 56 to be built and delivered over the next four years will replace older diesel-fueled models that are aging out of the PSTA fleet. PSTA estimates it will save approximately 11 million gallons of diesel fuel over the lifetime of the buses by replacing them with these battery-powered counterparts. The agency already operates 88 GILLIG hybrid buses in Florida’s largest fleet of hybrids.

The new 40’ buses are powered by ultra-high-capacity batteries, boasting 686 kWh of onboard energy storage for extended range on a single charge. PSTA’s investment also includes 15 ChargePoint chargers, purchased through GILLIG’s Charging Solutions team.