Off-Peak Charging, Incentives Reduced Spokane Transit’s EV Bus Fuel Cost per Mile to 25% of a Diesel Bus

Recently, Spokane Transit reported great success with its transition to electric public transportation buses.

Spokane Transit Authority (STA) is the public transportation agency serving Spokane County in eastern Washington. Established in 1981, STA provides fixed-route bus service, paratransit transportation, and other mobility solutions that connect residents throughout the Spokane region. The agency serves the cities of Spokane, Spokane Valley, Cheney, Liberty Lake, Airway Heights, Medical Lake, and surrounding communities.

Christian Bigger, Zero-Emission Fleet and Facilities Manager at STA, posted on his LinkedIn account about the great savings that STA has realized with using off-peak charging of its electric bus fleet.

Bigger said: “Over the past year, Spokane Transit delivered more than 3.18 GWh of energy through nearly 47,100 charging sessions across our charging network—more than 900 charging sessions every week.

At our Boone Operations Base, 89% of the charging occurred during Avista’s off peak energy windows, enabled by Flipturn‘s intelligent charging management platform. By shifting charging to off-peak hours, STA reduced its electricity costs, allowing more taxpayer dollars to be invested in to other transit and service needs rather than utility expenses.

These benefits extend beyond electricity rates. Through Washington’s Clean Fuel Standard, charging our battery electric buses has generated more than $300,000 in carbon credit revenue for STA. This has helped reduce our battery electric bus fuel cost per mile to roughly one-quarter that of a comparable diesel bus, with some quarters seeing nearly a 50% in cost per-mile reduction after the Clean Fuel Standard revenue is applied.

Smart charging also benefits our utility partners and community by reducing demand during peak periods, making better use of existing infrastructure, and supporting a more resilient grid. Despite having more than 2.4 MW of installed charging capacity at Boone, our highest coincident demand remained around 1.5 MW, avoiding unnecessary peak demand when paired with the right technology and strategy.

Thank you to Flipturn for helping optimize our charging operations and to ABB E-mobility for providing the reliable charging infrastructure that powers our zero emission fleet every day. 98.6% uptime and 94% 1st start success is also worth writing home about.”

Fleet EForce Supports Spokane Electric Bus Operations

Fleet EForce continues to play a key role in helping transit agencies keep electric buses on the road by addressing many of the maintenance and operational challenges associated with zero-emission fleets. In March, the company highlighted its ongoing partnership with Spokane Transit Authority (STA), where it has provided technical expertise, difficult-to-source components, and repair solutions that have helped reduce downtime and keep electric buses in service.

During the early stages of the partnership, Fleet EForce helped STA secure critical drivetrain components that had been difficult to obtain through traditional supply channels. The support allowed several Proterra electric buses to return to service more quickly. Since then, the relationship has expanded significantly, covering diagnostic assistance, electric powertrain components, battery systems, and specialized replacement parts for STA’s Proterra fleet. In one case, when new replacement components were unavailable, Fleet EForce supplied a used rear axle to keep a bus operational.

The company has also provided specialized equipment that assists STA with managing and balancing battery systems across multiple electric bus platforms. In addition to supplying parts and equipment, Fleet EForce and STA have collaborated closely by sharing technical knowledge and operational best practices as the agency continues to optimize its zero-emission transportation programs.

“Fleet EForce has proven to be a valuable partner as we continue to manage the complexities of operating electric buses,” said Christian Bigger, Zero-Emission Fleet & Facilities Transition Manager at Spokane Transit Authority. “Their team has been responsive, creative and collaborative in helping our technicians address challenges and keep our fleet moving.”

EVinfo.net recently spoke with Fleet EForce Business Development Director Cory Runnells, who described a visit to Spokane Transit Authority where technicians were actively servicing both Proterra and New Flyer electric buses. According to Runnells, Fleet EForce is proud to support transit agencies that are working to maintain, strengthen, and grow their electric bus operations.

Spokane Transit Authority serves Spokane County, Washington, and has emerged as a leader in sustainable public transportation. The agency now operates one of the largest electric bus fleets in the Pacific Northwest, demonstrating a strong commitment to reducing emissions and advancing clean transportation.

Fleet EForce provides maintenance, training, repair, and parts support for commercial electric vehicles and EV charging infrastructure throughout North America. With a nationwide network of technicians, an aftermarket parts warehouse in Colorado, and a newly established California facility, the company delivers specialized services designed to help electric fleets maximize uptime and operate efficiently.