The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded the University of Maryland with a $39.9 million federal grant to help transition its UM-Shuttle fleet from diesel to electric vehicles.

The University of Maryland announced on June 28 that the funds will be used to purchase 35 battery electric buses, bus charging stations and associated infrastructure renovations to enable onsite electric bus charging as well as to support workforce development, and train drivers and maintenance staff on how to operate and service electric buses.

The funds were awarded were apart of the FTA’s FY23 Low-No Program, which aims to provide nearly $1.7 billion for transit projects in 46 states and territories. UMD’s grant was among one of the largest given to a university in this award cycle and one of the largest of the 130 grants awarded overall. 

The funding will help UMD accelerate the transition of its Shuttle-UM fleet, which currently includes 48 buses that provide transportation to campus and around greater College Park.

“I am elated by this award and deeply grateful to our friends in Congress and partners in the community and across the state who helped make it possible. Thanks to this grant, we will be able to move more quickly on our plans to provide our community with a more reliable, sustainable and eco-friendly mode of transportation. I am incredibly proud of our institution and how it continues to prioritize environmental responsibility and innovative solutions,” said UMD President Darryll J. Pines.