The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) was awarded a federal grant to pilot hydrogen-fueled buses in its fleet and pay for the necessary infrastructure.
COTA announced the $22.8 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration Wednesday at a press conference at its Franklinton facility.
FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool said the grant will allow COTA to purchase 10 hydrogen fuel cell buses, support infrastructure like a refueling station and help fund 10 electric buses to add to COTA’s 300-vehicle bus fleet.
"These grants will help deliver cleaner and greener transportation, designed to reach everyone, and to work for everyone, particularly in places that haven't received enough resources in the past," Vanterpool said.
COTA says its plan aligns with the City of Columbus' Climate Action Plan.
This grant comes as President Joe Biden's administration and private automobile companies are making significant investments in hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Last year, Biden announced a tax credit proposal to dole out billions of dollars in tax credits to hydrogen producers in a massive effort to build out the industry.
Just a couple of months ago, Honda unveiled its new hydrogen fuel cell powered CR-V at its Marysville plant. The company plans to build the vehicle in Ohio and sell it to customers in California, which already has the necessary infrastructure for the vehicles.
This year is a pivotal one for COTA as it awaits a November vote on its LinkUS plan. A sales tax hike on the ballot would fund the creation of bus rapid transit lines in the city as well as other infrastructure improvements.
COTA says it's on track to meet the goal of having zero-emissions fleet of 300 buses by 2035 and net-zero carbon neutrality by 2045.
COTA's first two electric buses went into service in 2021. COTA's final 22 operating diesel buses are expected to be retired by the end of this year.
