Vermont's Green Mountain Transit has faced challenges with its electric transit buses, specifically the New Flyer XE40 buses, which cannot charge when it's cold outside due to a battery recall and fire risk. This issue has sparked controversy, with some outlets blaming electric vehicles, but the problem lies in the defective batteries, not the cold weather or the electric nature of the buses. The buses' performance in winter is a concern, but they still function adequately in warmer conditions. Vermont has been running electric buses since 2019, and the state's investment in electric transit and school buses is part of a broader effort to reduce emissions. The New Flyer buses, however, have encountered reliability issues, leading to their sidelining. The recall was due to a defect in the Freudenberg Gen 3 High-Energy batteries, causing a risk of fire when charged to full capacity. This has left Green Mountain Transit in a difficult situation, as the buses cannot be charged safely inside or outside due to temperature constraints. The controversy highlights the challenges of implementing new technology and the importance of thorough testing and quality control in the manufacturing process.
