The Atlanta City Council voted to approve funding for Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to buy two electric buses worth $1.5 million.
The buses made by electric vehicle manufacturer BYD would join a fleet of "terminal-to-terminal" shuttles used to transport passengers between the international terminal and domestic terminal.
The 13-2 vote came after some council members raised question about the cost of the buses and whether the airport plans a bigger electric shuttle fleet in the future. Council members Amir Farokhi and J.P. Matzigkeit voted against the measure.
In total, the two 40-foot electric buses and related infrastructure will cost more than $1.8 million. That includes $1.5 million for the two buses, $265,000 for the design and construction of power infrastructure and $88,578 for construction of electric chargers.
Half of the cost will be covered by a Federal Aviation Administration Voluntary Airport Low Emissions grant, while the other half, or $926,789, will be paid for with Atlanta airport funds.
At a transportation committee meeting in late April, council members asked for more information on the procurement process by airport parking contractor Standard Parking for the buses. Two companies, BYD and Proterra, competed for the contract.
When asked about the differentiating factors between the two companies, Hartsfield-Jackson legislative liaison Anita Williams said on Monday: “BYD is the leader in electric buses and I know that is one of the leading factors.”
Hartsfield-Jackson is converting other buses to compressed natural gas.
In comments on his opposition to the measure, Farokhi said he believes “the airport needs to commit to one of the technologies, either electric or CNG..... Why are we throwing money after an electric bus program that may stop at two?”
Council member Ivory Lee Young Jr., who voted in favor of the funding, said he sees “some inherent advantage in understanding this technology.”
Environment Georgia executive director Jennette Gayer issued a statement saying Hartsfield-Jackson, which is the world’s busiest airport, “can set an important example to airports making ground transportation decisions around the globe.”
