Vermont's Green Mountain Transit has been facing challenges with its electric transit buses, specifically the New Flyer XE40 buses, which cannot charge when it's cold outside due to a battery recall and fire risk. This issue has sparked controversy, with some outlets blaming electric vehicles, but the problem lies in the defective batteries, not the cold weather or the electric nature of the buses. The buses are not new, and electric buses have been successfully operating in colder climates, such as Alaska's electric school bus. Vermont has been running electric buses since 2019, and the state's investment in electric transit and school buses has shown positive results. The issue with the New Flyer buses is due to a recall of their batteries, which can experience short circuits and pose a fire risk when charged to full capacity. The buses are equipped with Lithium Manganese Cobalt batteries and Siemens ELFA3 traction motors, and the batteries are mounted on the roof. The recall was issued after two buses suffered from smoke and six buses experienced battery fires. The buses cannot be charged inside due to the fire risk, and charging outside is not an option when temperatures are below 41 degrees Fahrenheit. This has left Green Mountain Transit in a difficult situation, as it cannot charge the buses safely. The controversy highlights the need for careful consideration of performance, safety, and value for taxpayers when investing in electric buses, and it serves as a reminder that not all electric buses are created equal.
