University of Maryland secures $40M FTA grant for 27 GILLIG Battery Electric Buses and charging infrastructure
Type: Financing · Technology: Transport · Country: United States · Value: $40M · Announced: 2026-04-20
The University of Maryland secured a $40 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to fund the purchase of 27 GILLIG Battery Electric Buses and associated charging infrastructure. The grant, part of the FTA’s Low-No Program, covers the buses, 16 charging stations with 32 charging ports, and infrastructure upgrades. The first two buses debuted at the university’s EarthFest celebration in April 2026, with 25 additional buses scheduled for deployment by Fall 2027. The electric buses, ranging from 35 to 40 feet in length, will replace the university’s oldest diesel buses and operate across all Shuttle-UM routes, saving an estimated 130,000 gallons of diesel fuel annually. GILLIG LLC supplied the buses, which feature seven batteries for a 250-mile range per charge and include USB ports, UV air purifiers, and updated wheelchair securement systems.
Counterparties
- University of Maryland (Offtaker)
- Gillig LLC (Investor)
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