Zion is the First National Park to Adobt All-Electric Shuttle Fleet

Zion National Park has introduced a fully electric shuttle fleet, marking the first national park in the U.S. to transition to zero-emission transportation. The launch, which took place on September 4th, is part of a broader federal effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across public lands and federally managed transportation systems.

The shift to electric vehicles is aligned with President Biden’s Federal Sustainability Plan, which aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This includes converting the federal fleet of 600,000 vehicles to zero-emission models. The transition at Zion National Park is supported by a $33 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, along with contributions from state and local partners.

Zion’s new battery-powered buses replace an aging propane-powered fleet that had operated for over two decades. The buses are quieter and have a larger capacity and are intended to improve both the visitor experience and the park’s environmental footprint. According to the park’s superintendent, Jeff Bradybaugh, the goal is to reduce emissions while maintaining efficient transportation for the more than 4 million people who visit Zion annually.

The electric fleet is part of a wider National Park Service (NPS) initiative to introduce zero-emission vehicles across several major parks, including Grand Canyon, Acadia, and Yosemite. In Zion, the shuttle system, first implemented in 2000, has helped manage traffic congestion and reduce crowding in Zion Canyon and the nearby town of Springdale.

GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan, who also attended the event, noted that transitioning to electric vehicles is part of a government-wide effort to address climate change. “This initiative is a step forward in decreasing pollution in our national parks and surrounding communities,” Carnahan said.

The move to electric shuttles at Zion has been in development for several years and involved collaboration with federal agencies, local leaders, and non-profit organizations, including the Zion National Park Forever Project. The project’s president, Natalie Britt, emphasized the importance of the new fleet in continuing the park’s efforts to manage visitor access while prioritizing sustainability.

As Zion moves forward with its electric shuttle system, other parks are already experimenting with electric buses, including Yosemite and Bryce Canyon, and many other parks are expected to follow suit, and plans are in place to introduce larger fleets in the coming years.