MBTA’s new hybrid buses mark slow progress on climate goals

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, October 24, 2026

The MBTA has approved the purchase of 65 new hybrid buses, to be delivered by 2028, aiming to replace aging vehicles while addressing budget and infrastructure challenges. Although hybrids offer emissions reductions, critics argue this move delays the agency’s goal of transitioning to a fully electric bus fleet by 2028.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has approved the purchase of 65 new hybrid buses as part of its ongoing efforts to modernize its fleet, despite criticism that the move falls short of the agency’s stated climate goals. The decision was made during a recent board meeting, with the buses expected to be delivered in 2028. These vehicles will replace aging buses that have been in service since at least 2008.

The hybrid buses, which operate using a combination of diesel engines and electric batteries, are not counted toward the MBTA’s target of having nearly 30 percent of its bus fleet fully electric by 2028. Currently, the MBTA operates approximately 125 fully electric buses out of a fleet of about 1,000 vehicles, along with over 700 electric hybrid buses and 175 buses running on compressed natural gas. Fully electric buses make up roughly 10 percent of the fleet.

The agency cites financial constraints and supply chain challenges as primary reasons for the slower-than-expected transition to zero-emission vehicles. Upgrading bus depots with charging infrastructure, necessary to support a fully electric fleet, has also faced delays. New charging facilities are under construction in north Cambridge and Quincy, with some upgrades expected to be completed by 2030. The cost of the hybrid bus purchase is approximately $83 million, funded largely through a $78 million federal grant.

Interim Secretary of Transportation Phil Eng described the acquisition of hybrid buses as an “exciting” step toward improving transit reliability while also reducing emissions, highlighting that hybrids offer environmental benefits without necessitating the extensive infrastructure investments required for fully electric vehicles.

In addition to the bus purchase, the MBTA board also approved a $310 million contract to acquire 10 diesel and 10 battery-electric commuter rail locomotives. These new electric locomotives, which will operate on the Providence line where overhead power is available, are expected to produce 80 percent fewer emissions than older models.

However, the decision to continue adding gas-powered vehicles has drawn criticism from transit advocates and environmental groups. They argue that the MBTA should focus exclusively on electrification to meet its climate commitments and urge the agency to clarify how service improvements will accompany new equipment acquisitions. While the agency’s electrification plan remains a work in progress, officials note that the inclusion of hybrid technology and incremental infrastructure upgrades are part of a broader strategy to reduce emissions and modernize the transit system over the coming decade.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.