SALISBURY — The Salisbury Transit department has updated its bus system with the addition of two new all-electric transit buses, purchased through a North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality grant.

The city received $818,772 from the state through the Volkswagen Settlement Transit and Shuttle Bus Program Grant, which the NCDEQ distributed to local, county and tribal governments along with state agencies to replace dirty vehicles with clean electric vehicles. According to the NCDEQ’s webpage about the program, recipients were required to destroy the dirty vehicle to ensure that it “never again pollutes North Carolina’s streets.”

The grant also provided equipment, including charging stations, camera systems, fare boxes, destination signs, bike racks and two-way radios, according to a release from the city.

“These all-electric buses are a significant step forward for our transit system. Thanks to this NCDEQ grant, we are able to retire two diesel buses and bring more efficient, environmentally friendly vehicles into our fleet. This move helps us continue our mission to reduce Salisbury’s carbon footprint while improving transit services for our residents,” said Mayor Karen Alexander.

The vehicles that the new electric buses will replace were aging diesel buses that had outlived their Federal Transit Administration recommended service life. The new buses will be able to maintain the same level of service, according to the city, while also having quieter operations, lower emissions and reduced maintenance costs.

“We are thrilled to introduce these electric buses to our fleet. They not only reflect our commitment to cleaner, more efficient public transportation but also improve safety and operational efficiency. The slightly smaller buses will better serve residential neighborhoods and enhance overall rider experience,” said Transit Director Rodney Harrison.

The city has invited members of the community to view the new electric buses on Tuesday before the city council meeting. The buses will be made available at 5 p.m. outside of Salisbury City Hall, located at 217 S. Main St.

The NCDEQ awarded more than $76 million to clean-energy vehicle projects throughout the state. In total, the project expected to prevent more than 380 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions and more than 33,400 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, along with reducing an uncertain amount of particulate matter, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons.

The Rowan-Salisbury School System received two separate awards  in 2021 of more than $100,000 each to replace two school buses. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College received over $30,000 to place two charging ports on the Kannapolis campus and over $60,000 to place four charging ports on the Salisbury campus. The N.C. Transportation Museum received approximately $20,000 to buy two charging ports.

The funding from the state comes from 2016 and 2017 settlements between the U.S. Department of Justice and Volkswagen resolving claims that the automobile manufacturer and its subsidiaries violated the federal Clean Air Act through diesel vehicles with emissions control systems that performed differently during emissions testing and normal vehicle operation. The total settlement amount was approximately $15 billion, according to a DOJ announcement in 2016.

Salisbury Transit operates three routes throughout the city as well as Americans with Disabilities Act paratransit services in Salisbury, Spencer and East Spencer. More information about Salisbury Transit can be found at www.salisburync.gov/transit or by contacting the department at 704-638-5252.