Black & Veatch Helps Vail, Colorado, Complete First Phase of 100-Percent Electrification of its Public Bus Fleet

Black & Veatch worked with GILLIG and ChargePoint to complete the first phase of the renowned ski destination’s public bus electrification project

For mountain ski towns like Vail, Colorado, climate change and warming temperatures pose an existential threat to the heavy snowpack on which the area’s tourism economy is based. To help reduce emissions, the Town of Vail turned to Black & Veatch, a global leader in electrification and engineering solutions, to upgrade its electrical systems as it prepares for 100-percent electrification of its public bus fleet.

Growing interest in high-efficiency, pollution- and emissions-reducing transit is propelling electrified mass transit projects across the United States. Against the pristine backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, Vail is among the first U.S. cities to begin full electrification of its diesel bus fleet. Certified under the Mountain IDEAL standard as a sustainable destination—the first mountain resort destination in the world to do so—the Town of Vail has goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% reduction in 2025, 50% by 2030, and 80% by 2050.

The Town of Vail selected Black & Veatch, a global leader in high-power electric vehicle charging infrastructure, to provide the consulting and pre-construction services required to prepare the town’s current facilities for conversion. GILLIG was selected as the bus manufacturer while ChargePoint was chosen as the charging station provider. Together, the partners helped deliver the town’s first four electric buses—the earliest of a planned 33 to be cycled into the public fleet—helping Vail achieve an important step toward its sustainability commitment.

“We chose to work with Black & Veatch on this project due to their experience and reputation of success in the field of electric vehicle charging,” said Greg Hall, director of public works and transportation for the Town of Vail. “In our work with them, their expertise and passion for sustainability really shone through, bringing added value and success to the project.”

Black & Veatch services included electrical system upgrades, technology consulting, a microgrid feasibility study, utility coordination, site survey, engineering and design services for the installations of the DC charging stations, environmental compliance, permitting service and construction quality assurance.

This first phase of the transition, which began in 2020, included converting the bus maintenance facility and depot to support the four GILLIG electric buses that joined the fleet, and future-proofing the electrical and structural infrastructure of the facilities to ensure success as the rest of the fleet electrifies. With each bus in Vail’s fleet having a lifespan of about 12 years, full fleet electrification is expected by 2032 as electric buses are phased in to replace the town’s diesel fleet.

“As a company with a stated mission for decarbonization, Black & Veatch values working on projects that push our nation closer to net-zero carbon,” said Maryline Daviaud Lewett, director of business development at Black & Veatch. “Of course, we want to see electrification of transportation in all cities, but in a town like Vail with such delicate, pristine outdoor destinations and landscape, it feels especially right to be building clean, sustainable infrastructure.”

“This project is a great example of how GILLIG, ChargePoint, and Black & Veatch work together to ensure our customer success," said Richard Bissell, GILLIG charging solutions manager.

Editor’s Notes:

• Black & Veatch is a leading provider of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
• Black & Veatch also completed the high-power electric charging station infrastructure that powers Washington, D.C.’s Circulator System, the capital’s new electrified mass transit project that eliminates nearly 244,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
• View Black & Veatch’s project video.
• Click here for photos from the Vail project.

About Black & Veatch

Black & Veatch is an employee-owned global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company with a more than 100-year track record of innovation in sustainable infrastructure. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people around the world by addressing the resilience and reliability of our most important infrastructure assets. Our revenues in 2020 exceeded US$3.0 billion. Follow us on www.bv.com and on social media.

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