ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. – Escambia County Area Transit recently received a $21 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration for an electric bus, charging station and employee training project focused on improving transportation reliability and air quality for residents throughout Escambia County.

The grant will provide ECAT with nine 35-foot electric buses and four electric cutaways to replace its existing 2006 and 2007 model diesel-powered buses.

“Adding all-electric transit vehicles to the ECAT fleet will contribute to safer and more reliable operations, lower energy and maintenance costs, and reduced dependence on fossil fuels,” said an Escambia County press release. “The grant will also provide ECAT employees with training to operate, charge, and repair electric buses accurately and efficiently.”

The new buses are expected to join ECAT’s fleet by 2026.

“I am very excited to add electric buses to ECAT’s fleet and usher in a new phase of public transportation for Escambia County,” said Public Transportation Director Rodriques Kimbrough. “Receiving this grant reflects ECAT’s commitment to excellent public transportation in our community. I am very proud of our staff and their diligent efforts in receiving the grant and moving ECAT forward.”