WENATCHEE — Five electric buses will be buzzing through Wenatchee and East Wenatchee next fall, thanks to a $2.9 million federal grant to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The buses will replace four diesel-powered trolleys. The grant will also fund two charging stations, said Link spokesman Eric West.

The buses, which will be powered by lithium-ion “titanate” batteries, are 27 feet long, three feet shorter than the current trolleys. West said they will seat 20 to 22 people and can travel 30 miles on a full charge, making them ideal for the shorter trips in the Wenatchee area.

What isn’t known is what the buses will look like.

“This is pretty cool, high-tech stuff,” he said. “So do we want something that’s sleek and modern looking, or do we want something that looks old or traditional? That’s one of the discussions we’ll be having.”

West said the first step in the project will be to hire a project manager to oversee all the details, which is also being funded by the grant.

“There are a lot of engineering considerations as well,” he said, adding that the Chelan County PUD has offered staff support to help with the project.

The $100 million in Economic Recovery Act funds was awarded to 43 transit agencies nationally for projects that will help reduce global warming, lessen America’s dependence on oil and create green jobs, said a press release from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Link and transit agencies in two other Washington cities received the funding: Everett, $3 million; and Vancouver, $1.5 million.

West said the zero-emission, battery-powered buses are “exciting and will generate nationwide attention.”

He said Wenatchee will be used as a guinea pig as to the types of systems that will be moving into urban areas in the years to come. Transit officials in California have already contacted Link to keep them posted on how the project progresses.

The cost savings of using battery power versus diesel fuel over a 12-year vehicle life is estimated to be $88,000 per vehicle, said Richard DeRock, Link’s general manager.

“The savings in fuel costs make this technology very attractive, and very applicable to our area, with our low electric rates” DeRock said.

Michele Mihalovich: 665-1188

mihalovich@wenatcheeworld.com