The city of San Francisco is known for many things. Packed into the 7 by 7 barriers is an immense amount of unforgettable experiences, breathtaking views, and new and old technologies. As a teenager who has lived in San Francisco my entire life, the unique culture has allowed me to explore the precious city in many ways. From the sights of the Golden Gate Bridge to the lights of the Embarcadero, it would only be possible with the San Francisco Municipal Railway, Muni for short. First opening in 1912, this city transportation agency has brought the city closer together for over a hundred years. As a daily rider of such transportation, I believe the reliability and sustainability of their mission of “creating transportation options that are constant, practical, and everywhere” have shaped it into one of the best public transportation agencies in the country.

Transportation services have been helping millions of people get to where they need to go. Only recently has the picture shifted from completely gas-powered transportation to cleaner and more sustainable energy alternatives. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “transportation accounted for 29% of all of the United States greenhouse gas emissions in 2022.” This statistic demonstrates how much the United States relies on transportation agencies to have an efficiently running economy. But what does this number mean in the grand scheme of climate change? How much less greenhouse gas emissions can be produced if partially electrified? What about all of it? As those are big questions, let’s look at San Francisco’s transportation agency to see a real-world example of how clean energy transportation is applied to the United States.

Being implemented in 2021, the “zero emission bus rollout plan” has ambitious goals of having zero emissions on all buses by 2040. This plan includes increments of 3 years for buses to transform to zero emissions. All of these goals are to build a better future for the city, and the country as a whole.

Turning a majority of gas buses into electric buses is a difficult process, but it is a vital investment in the future of San Francisco. To zoom out to the wider picture, changing the transportation landscape is not the only way to pivot to clean energy, and is not the only big factor in carbon emissions. The big headlines tend to focus on many negatives worldwide, but the small changes are important factors to consider. Change takes time, and this is an important change that will not only benefit the riders of SFMTA but also benefit the budget of the city of San Francisco in the years to come.

Let’s compare the difference between a gas-powered MUNI bus and an electric-powered MUNI bus: An average 40-foot bus that runs on diesel produces 2,680 grams of carbon dioxide per mile driven. On the contrary, an all-electric bus will produce approximately 1,078 grams of carbon dioxide per mile driven. The difference in emissions of electric buses is more than half of diesel, which has exponential changes in the long run. But that isn’t the full story. Price is also a big factor when cities and governments are deciding whether switching to an electric fleet is cost-effective and beneficial. A bonus to all-electric buses is the charging method. While a diesel-powered bus needs plenty of fuel to stay powered, electric buses can be charged midday, at night, or during layovers. This greatly reduces fuel costs, increases bus capacity, and is a more rider-friendly option. According to the SFMTA, “Battery-electric-buses are easier and less expensive to maintain.” As new technologies develop, the switches from costly and pollutant-filled energy departments will get easier and easier.

What step is this plan on in 2024? Currently, it is in full effect. With a $30 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for San Francisco’s Zero Emission Bus Rollout Plan. This ensures that San Francisco has the budget to excel with its new bus technologies which is already being seen as 12 new Battery-Electric buses are being tested around the city. With the current operation of diesel-hybrid buses being over 800, it is not a big number. But as the new buses are still in the testing phase, it is planned that all new buses will be battery-electric by 2027. According to the SFMTA, 2023-2026 is in the phase of the “construction of first electric bus” which is on schedule.

This plan has so much potential to transform the transportation industry as it is one of the first of its kind. San Francisco continues to pave the way for clean transportation in North America, and it is being demonstrated every day. SFMTA is extremely reliable, which is nothing short of extensive planning and development since its founding. The ‘All Electric Fleet Plan’ is still in its early development, and there are many more important changes to come.