TARC Announces fleet of electric buses to celebrate 40th anniversary

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- TARC celebrated its 40th birthday Monday by announcing it will soon have the largest fleet of all-electric buses in the country.

TARC will put a fleet of 10 new Zerobuses on the road by the end of the year.

The zero emissions buses are powered by batteries located under the floor panels.

A Zerobus can travel for up to two hours before it needs to recharge, which takes less than 10 minutes at a charging dock.

The Zerobuses will replace the Toonerville trolleys, which are TARC's highest polluting vehicles.

"Everybody knows about certain aspects of it but I want you to realize this ride is going to be extremely quiet ," Kentucky Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock said.

TARC is expected to save $110,000 per year on diesel fuel by using the battery powered buses.

The $11 million new fleet was mostly paid for using state and federal grants.