Photo credits: Lion Electric
- August saw several sustainability milestones, including 25 electric school buses added to the Little Rock School District fleet, 14 new electric transit buses for Vine Transit in Napa County and Chicago launching its first two electric garbage trucks with Republic Services.
- Initiatives were backed by federal and EPA funding, and aim to reduce emissions, improve air quality and lower operating costs, while supporting long-term goals for zero-emission fleets in schools, public transit and waste management.
Medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles are hitting the road in 2025, and we’ve collected last month’s most exciting news. After another record year of zero-emission truck deployments in 2024, this year promises more big announcements. This monthly blog series showcases the biggest orders and deployments of zero-emission trucks happening around the country.
August 2025: Electric trucks, buses round-up Share on X
August announcements include several bus deployments for school districts and transit services, as well as electric refuse trucks hitting the streets in Chicago. Check out the details on each announcement below.
Little Rock School District debuts eco-friendly electric buses
The Little Rock School District has added 25 electric school buses to its fleet, becoming the largest district in Arkansas and the 8th largest in the U.S. to provide electric school bus service. The initiative, funded by a $9.8M EPA Clean School Bus Program grant, aims to reduce emissions, improve student health and lower operational costs. The buses, each with a 130-mile range and seating for up to 69 passengers, will transport 500 students daily across 1,400 miles with zero emissions. The EV fleet launched August 11, marking a major step toward sustainability for both the district and the City of Little Rock.
Republic Services debuts electric garbage truck fleet in Chicago with Mack LR Electric
The City of Chicago and Republic Services have launched the city’s first electric garbage truck fleet, starting with two Mack LR Electric trucks. These vehicles deliver zero emissions, quieter operation ideal for early morning routes and lower maintenance costs, while improving air quality and driver comfort.
Vine Transit expands zero-emission fleet for cleaner air in Napa County
Vine Transit has added 14 new Gillig electric buses to its fleet, bringing 25% of its buses to zero-emission status. Funded by $14.7 million in competitive Federal Transit Administration grants, the new vehicles replace aging diesel models, each cutting about 100 metric tons of CO2 annually. The initiative supports Napa Valley Transportation Authority’s goal of achieving a 100% zero-emission fleet by 2040, improving local air quality and rider experience while advancing sustainable transportation in Napa County.
Now is a critical time for fleets to invest in medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks. These vehicles improve public health and help combat the climate crisis by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Unlike traditional diesel-powered trucks, electric trucks produce no tailpipe emissions, which significantly cuts down on health-harming pollution. Adoption represents a key step toward a more sustainable and resilient transportation industry.
Check back here next month to see a collection of the most exciting zero-emission vehicle announcements from September. In the meantime, check out EDF’s Electric Fleet Deployment & Commitment List to track announcements as they happen in real time, and view all August announcements.
Check out last month’s announcements here.
