Nearly 49% of Sonoma County Transit buses will be electric in 2026.
The County of Sonoma is “driving the bus” when it comes to zero-emission public transportation—as the Board of Supervisors this week approved the purchase of seven battery electric transit buses.
Those new vehicles will replace natural gas-powered buses in the current fleet that have exceeded their 12-year-minimum service life required by the Federal Transit Administration. The new buses are expected to arrive in November 2026 and will be deployed on Sonoma County Transit’s main intercity routes between Monte Rio, Santa Rosa and Sonoma (Routes 20 and 30) and between Petaluma, Santa Rosa and Cloverdale (Routes 44/48 and 60), according to a county announcement.
The California Air Resources Board requires all new public transit buses purchased after 2029 be zero-emission vehicles, with a goal that all fossil-fueled buses in California be retired by 2040. The seven new buses will bring Sonoma County Transit’s electric vehicle tally to nearly 49% of its 49-bus fleet. The net cost per bus is $1.25 million.
