Escambia County Area Transit recently received a $21 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration for 21 electric buses, charging stations and employee training with a focus on increasing transportation reliability and improving air quality.

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.

ECAT said adding all-electric transit vehicles to its fleet will contribute to safer and more reliable operations, lower energy and maintenance costs, and reduced reliance on fossil fuels. 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.”