Kincannon budget supports KAT’S transition to electric buses
April 30, 2021

KNOXVILLE - Knoxville Area Transit hopes to have its entire 71-bus fleet running on electricity in about eight years.

New 100% electric bus; image courtesy of City of Knoxville

KAT is making history in 2021. KAT’s first all-electric bus is fresh off the assembly line, and the first 12 electric buses will be arriving in Knoxville between June and September.

They certainly won’t be the last. Mayor Indya Kincannon’s proposed budget includes $15.3 million in direct City support for KAT, including $1.2 million for matching grants as KAT continues to convert its fleet to all-electric buses.

KAT's oldest diesel buses are being replaced with state-of-the-art electric buses, which are about three times more fuel-efficient than a standard diesel bus (13 MPGDE vs. 4.4 MPG).

“These electric vehicles are a great addition to the City’s overall climate plan, helping us reach emissions reduction goals,” says Isaac Thorne, Director of Transit for the City of Knoxville.

The City is aiming to reduce emissions by 50 percent by 2030 for its operations, compared with 2005 carbon levels. A companion goal is an 80 percent communitywide reduction by 2050.

Working to ensure Knoxville’s clean and resilient future is one of the five key priorities that shape and drive Mayor Kincannon’s proposed 2021-22 budget. (Other priorities are public safety; healthy and connected neighborhoods; thriving businesses and good jobs; and good governance.) Mayor Kincannon’s proposed budget will be presented for first reading at City Council on Tuesday, May 4. Legislative budget hearings are scheduled for Thursday and Friday, May 13-14, with a public hearing at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 14. A second Council vote on the proposed budget is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18.

For more details on the proposed budget, visit knoxvilletn.gov/budget.

To find out more about additional initiatives proposed in FY 2021-22 to fight climate change and promote resiliency, visit bit.ly/3xE9Exe.