Cartoon Tuesday: Jay Leno Drives Foothill Transit’s Electric Bus

Not quite a cartoon, but today we feature a comedian. Watch the above 2012 video from Jay Leno’s Garage where Leno learns the ins and outs of the latest in electric bus technology, specifically Foothill Transit’s electric buses manufactured by Proterra which recently introduced an upgraded model. The bus features a steel-free balsa wood and fiberglass frame.

Electric bus technology has been a hot topic lately in Los Angeles.

Foothill Transit already has several electric buses up and running. That agency has committed to a fully-electric bus fleet by 2030.

The bus technology discussion dominated the October 27 Metro board of directors meeting, with dozens of public commenters. Environmentalists were critical of Metro’s tepid approach to the air and energy benefits of full electrification. Industry representatives from electric vehicle and natural gas industries predictably touted their technological preferences. Several Metro boardmembers who are not typically highly environmentally-minded questioned the life-cycle benefits of electrification. Ultimately, the Metro board decided to more-or-less double down on not-quite-zero-emission compressed natural gas (CNG) buses through 2025. Metro is dipping its toe into the electric bus arena by moving to study full electrification on just the Metro Orange and Silver Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Lines. Today, Metro announced a $4.3 million federal grant that will go toward Orange Line electrification.

Watch and enjoy.