LA Metro Awarded 220 Battery-Electric Buses to ENC
The transit agency approved a contract for 40-foot electric buses to be built at a California manufacturing facility.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors has awarded a contract for 220 battery-electric buses to manufacturer ENC. This order marks the largest base award for 40-foot electric transit buses by a U.S. transit agency.
Why it matters
The investment aims to transition the region to a zero-emission bus fleet while supporting manufacturing jobs in Southern California. The new vehicles will help Los Angeles County modernize its public transit infrastructure ahead of the 2028 Olympic games.
The AXESS EVO-BE buses feature a 304-grade stainless steel structure and 738 kWh of energy storage capacity. The units will be produced at ENC's 227,000-square-foot facility in Jurupa Valley.
The players
LA Metro
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is the primary transit agency serving the Los Angeles region.
ENC
A subsidiary of Rivaz Inc. that specializes in the manufacturing of transit and shuttle buses.
BAE Systems
A global defense and technology company that provides electric drive systems for public transportation vehicles.
The details
The buses utilize the BAE Systems Gen3 electric drive system to provide power for transit operations. Employees at the Jurupa Valley production facility manage the full assembly process, including frame welding, paint application, and final testing.
Timeline
ENC was founded in 1975.
The LA Metro Board approved the bus award on September 24, 2026.
Los Angeles is scheduled to host the Olympics in 2028.
Roadmap
This purchase signals a major acceleration in the adoption of electric transit as agencies move toward zero-emission fleet mandates. It positions ENC as a key competitor in the domestic manufacturing market for heavy-duty electric vehicles.
Commuters can expect a shift toward quieter, emission-free transit as these new electric buses enter service across Los Angeles County. The project also bolsters the local labor market by maintaining manufacturing activity at the Jurupa Valley production facility.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates how major international events act as catalysts for local governments to modernize their infrastructure and adopt sustainable technology. Local residents will likely experience reduced noise pollution and improved air quality as the fleet transitions away from combustion engines.
Further reading
For more information on the transition to clean transit, visit the /automotive/electric-vehicles/ page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fuelcellsworks.
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Should your local transit agency prioritize replacing all diesel buses with electric models?
