Metro Transit to expand its fleet of electric buses [Video]

MINNEAPOLIS — The Metropolitan Council and Metro Transit are making a sizable investment in clean energy.

The council recently approved $34 million to buy new electric buses.

The investment is supported by $21.6 million in grants from the Federal Transit Administration.

Metro Transit Chief Operating Officer Brian Funk says the money will pay for five 60-foot buses that should be available in 2025, along with 20 40-foot buses that will be available in 2026.

“The 60-foot buses are almost $2 million per bus and the 40-foot buses are about $1.3 million per bus,” Funk said.

The diesel-powered versions of these buses cost significantly less money. Funk says a diesel-powered 60-foot bus costs around $1 million and a 40-foot bus costs around $850,000.

Metro Transit received its first batch of electric vehicles about five years ago.

“We started with eight buses …