MBTA electric buses use diesel heaters below 40 degrees Fahrenheit to preserve battery range
By Eve
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's new battery electric buses rely on diesel burning auxiliary heating units when temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, consuming 0.8 gallons per hour to maintain passenger warmth while preserving battery power. The MBTA reports the buses averaged over 160 miles per charge during winter testing with diesel heat, compared to an estimated range under 100 miles if relying solely on electric heating. Officials told StreetsblogMASS that keeping batteries from getting too cold has the biggest impact on range improvement.
Why it matters
Transit operators procuring electric bus fleets in cold climates must account for auxiliary heating systems and their fuel costs in total cost of ownership calculations. The disclosure highlights a technical compromise between zero emission goals and operational range requirements that may influence specification decisions for northern latitude deployments.
Source
- Original title
- “The T’s New Electric Buses Will Still Belch Diesel Fumes For Winter Heat”
- Published
- 11 May 2026 (date approximate)
- Updated
- 22 September 2026
In this story
- Topic
- Electric Vehicles
- Place
- United States
- Tag
- The T
Related news
Tesla enables bidirectional charging for new Model 3 and Model Y orders in US with Powerwall 3
Tesla has extended its PowerShare home backup feature to new Model 3 and Model Y vehicles ordered from 1 October 2026 onwards in the US and Puerto Rico, previously available only on the Cybertruck. The capability requires a Powerwall 3 home battery and compatible charger, with Tesla stating the setup can extend home backup by over two days using the vehicle's battery.
Why it matters
This marks a significant expansion of vehicle to home charging infrastructure in the residential market, potentially driving demand for integrated Tesla energy systems. For charging point operators and installers, it signals growing competition from OEM controlled bidirectional solutions that bypass third party hardware.
Proton captures 50% of Malaysia's September 2026 EV market as registrations fall 31.7%
Malaysia registered 6,029 battery electric vehicles in September 2026, down 31.7% from August's 8,833 units, with Proton accounting for 3,016 registrations or 50% of the market, according to road transport department data reported on 11 October 2026. Proton's e.MAS 5 recorded 2,490 units and the e.MAS 7 added 526, bringing the carmaker's year to date total to 24,857 units. Tesla held second place with 703 units, down 39.7%, followed by BYD with 615 units, up 7.7%, and Zeekr in fourth with 445 units, up 12.7%.
Why it matters
The 50% market share held by a single domestic manufacturer signals potential concentration in Malaysia's charging infrastructure demand, with implications for network planning and site selection. The 31.7% month on month decline in overall registrations may affect near term charging deployment schedules and utilisation forecasts for operators in the market.
GM US EV sales fall 62% year on year to 25,473 units in Q3 2026 after federal tax credit ended
General Motors delivered 25,473 all electric vehicles in the United States in Q3 2026, down 62% from 66,501 units in Q3 2025, according to the company's latest quarterly report. The sharp decline follows the end of the $7,500 federal tax credit in Q3 2025, which had driven record sales in that period. The Q3 2026 figures provide a 12 month view of the market impact since the incentive was withdrawn.
Why it matters
The collapse in GM EV volumes after the tax credit lapsed signals weaker near term demand for public and workplace charging infrastructure tied to these models. Fleet and site host procurement decisions may need to account for lower utilisation if OEM sales remain subdued without federal purchase incentives.