Key Takeaway: The SFMTA will need to transition its current paratransit fleet to be 100% electric over the next 20 years.
The SFMTA's current paratransit fleet consists of 138 gas-, diesel-or hybrid-powered vehicles. The fleet includes:
- 43 Ford 350HD Commute vans.
- 68 Ford 450 Universal vans.
- 21 Dodge Caravan minivans.
- 6 Prius Prime sedans.
About half (53%) of the vehicles in the paratransit fleet are old and beyond their useful lives. Some scheduled replacements were delayed because of funding and supply chain issues related to the pandemic.
In the last few years, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) mandated transit agencies like the SFMTA to transition their fleets to electric vehicles.
- The Innovative Clean Transit regulations (2018) say that heavy vehicles weighing over 14,000 pounds, like the Ford 450 Universal vans, must be electric by 2040.
- The Advanced Clean Fuels program (2023) says that smaller vehicles, like the Ford 350HD Commute vans must be electric by 2045.
The SFMTA and our paratransit broker Transdev are taking a proactive approach to vehicle procurement and fleet improvement.
In 2023, the SFMTA purchased a new, low-floor FrontRunner van built by New England Wheels. The van required customization for San Francisco — New England Wheels raised the floor height by 2 inches to account for the city's steep terrain.
The van's low floor allows the use of a city-bus-style ramp that deploys from the double doors at the front of the vehicle to the street or sidewalk, rather than a lift located at the back of the vehicle. The lower floor height also makes it easier for passengers to step directly into the vehicle without climbing steps. The van is currently being tested in service every day, and the findings from its use will inform future vehicle specification and procurement, including the procurement of electric vehicles.
The SFMTA secured funds to purchase an all-electric paratransit van that will work on San Francisco’s hilly and sometimes narrow streets. After seeing demonstrations of three different vans, including a Ford E-Transit, a Sunset Van from RO Sales, an Endera electric shuttle and a Turtle Top Ultimate EV1, the SFMTA decided to purchase the Turtle Top. The van costs approximately $290,000 before government incentives and rebates. The SFMTA selected the Turtle Top because the chassis allows for the same interior layout as the vehicles currently in the fleet. Pending additional grant funding, we plan to purchase a second, different all-electric paratransit van from a different vendor so we can evaluate and test the various model options.