MVTA prepares launch of first five electric vehicles

The e-Jests are scheduled to serve MVTA Connect routes, MVTA’s microtransit service, beginning in December.

There will be a public unveiling of the e-Jest electric vehicles from 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the Apple Valley Transit Station, 15450 Cedar Ave. The public is invited to view and take a ride on the vehicles.

For more information or to RSVP for the event, go to mvta.com/ejest.

The 19-foot-long, highly maneuverable battery-electric vehicles seat up to 10 passengers and one wheelchair. The vehicles are all equipped with bike racks.

Each of the buses reduces carbon emissions by more than 50 metric tons per year compared to standard internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. ICE vehicles create climate-warming carbon dioxide and other pollutants that are released from their tailpipes.

According to calculations based on Environmental Protection Agency estimates, using the e-Jest versus an ICE vehicle is comparable to planting 1,100 trees every year or removing 11 cars from the road. With the five vehicles going into service, that would be the equivalent of removing carbon emissions of 55 cars or planting 5,500 trees annually.

“MVTA is committed to building a greener and more equitable public transit system of the future,” said MVTA Chief Executive Officer Luther Wynder in a press release. “Reducing the carbon generated by our own operations is at the forefront of our Sustainability Plan, and we’re committed to being an industry leader on this front. Introducing the e-Jests as the first zero emission vehicles in our fleet is a huge step in realizing our sustainability goals and positively impacting the communities we serve.”

The e-Jest vehicles have a 130-mile range and the ability to fully charge in four hours. While braking, the vehicle regenerates up to 25% of the kinetic energy and charges the battery, contributing to more miles of service.

MVTA Fleet Manager Scott Poppenhagen estimates that annual fuel savings from e-Jest electric vehicles will cover infrastructure costs within 3-1/2 years.

“This dips our toe in moving toward a more sustainable future and realizing our sustainability goals,” Poppenhagen said. “It’s innovative and it gets people excited about transit.”

Poppenhagen noted that the specialized wrap design on the buses has gained attention when driving around town.

“It’s turned a lot of heads and people have been taking out their phones to grab pictures,” he said.

In the United States, there are currently about 40 e-Jest buses in service. They are in California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Virginia and now Minnesota.

In the winter of 2023, MVTA had a demonstration project using an e-Jest bus.

MVTA operators who drove the e-Jest appreciated the panoramic windshield, the built-in onboard LED lighting, the location of the driver’s seat, and the impressive turning radius. Passengers also complimented the smooth and quiet ride, the easily reachable grab bars, and ease of boarding. In the first weeks of the demo, the e-Jest proved more than capable of handling Minnesota snow and cold — sticking to the road despite the wet driving surface.

Poppenhagen said the vehicle speed of the e-Jest has been improved since the demonstration project. In 2023, the top speed of the vehicle was near 45 mph. Today’s model has a top speed of 65 mph.

MVTA is in the process of training drivers in preparation for the Dec. 9 launch date.

MVTA’s Sustainability Plan, adopted in 2023, highlights three key sustainability priorities: environmental, social, and economic value. Objectives fall under 13 key goal areas, including eliminating greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. As part of the plan, MVTA pledges to move toward more sustainable operations through the implementation of a Zero Emission Bus Plan and encourage funding opportunities for fleet electrification and facility charging upgrades.

Minnesota Valley Transit Authority is the public transportation provider for Prior Lake, Shakopee and Savage in Scott County, and Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, and Rosemount in Dakota County.

For more information regarding the MVTA services, call MVTA Customer Service at 952-882-7500.