DASH (Alexandria Transit) is proud to announce the start of construction on the first on-route electric bus chargers in the City of Alexandria, Northern Virginia, and the Washington DC metropolitan region.
The project marks another major milestone in DASH’s transition to a 100% zero-emission fleet and reinforces the City of Alexandria’s commitment to expanding sustainable, equitable, and reliable public transportation.
To commemorate the occasion, DASH hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at the West End Alexandria redevelopment site, formerly Landmark Mall. The event brought together elected officials, regional transportation leaders, project partners, and community stakeholders to celebrate an investment that will help shape the future of sustainable public transit throughout Alexandria and the region.
Guest speakers included DASH General Manager & CEO Josh Baker, DASH Board Chair David Kaplan, Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins, and U.S. Representative Don Beyer.
“This project reflects years of planning and collaboration to support our transition to an all-electric fleet,” said DASH General Manager & CEO Josh Baker. “As the first on-route electric bus chargers in Northern Virginia and the DC region, this is a monumental step toward a cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable transit system. I’m incredibly grateful to our partners and especially Congressman Beyerfor helping make this possible. We at DASH are excited to see these improvements better our riders’ experiences in day-to-day service.”
The opportunity chargers were funded through a partnership between DASH and the City of Alexandria, with more than $1 million in federal funding secured through the Fiscal Year 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act, thanks to the leadership and support of Congressman Don Beyer and the region’s federal delegation in advancing this investment in Alexandria’s transportation future.
Mayor Gaskins and Rep. Beyer emphasized the project’s importance to Alexandria’s sustainability goals and the region’s transportation future.
“By investing in electric transportation infrastructure, we are expanding mobility options, reducing emissions, and creating stronger connections between residents, jobs, housing, and services,” added Mayor Gaskins. “The significance of these chargers compounds on an already historic redevelopment project for West Alexandria, demonstrating how thoughtful investment can support both environmental sustainability and economic growth. Together, with DASH and our partners, we are building a cleaner, more resilient city that will benefit all Alexandrians.”
“I am thrilled to celebrate the groundbreaking of this transformative project, which will provide the charging infrastructure DASH needs to support its growing electric bus fleet and meet growing operational demands,” expanded Rep. Beyer. “I was proud to help secure federal funding for this project through the Congressional appropriations process and look forward to the lasting benefits it will deliver for everyone who lives, works, and travels in Alexandria.”
The two overhead pantograph chargers will be capable of delivering charging speeds of up to 360 kilowatts. Unlike traditional plug-in chargers that can require hours to fully recharge a vehicle, the system will enable buses to recharge in minutes while remaining in service.
This rapid-charging capability will help extend vehicle range, maximize fleet utilization, improve system performance, and reduce service interruptions associated with longer charging cycles. DASH has worked closely with bus manufacturers to ensure the infrastructure is compatible with both its current battery-electric fleet and future vehicle purchases.
“Transit agencies like DASH are demonstrating that successful electrification starts with the right infrastructure,” said Mark Hawkinson, President of Technical Solutions, ABM. “By investing in innovative charging solutions, DASH is building the operational foundation needed to support a more resilient, reliable, and electrified transit network for years to come.”
Since the City of Alexandria and DASH adopted a goal in 2019 to transition the DASH fleet to 100% zero-emissions vehicles, we’ve made substantial progress. To date, we have deployed 16 battery electric buses into service, with an additional 20 funded and currently in procurement. These additions will further expand the electric fleet in the coming years.
Construction of the charging infrastructure is now underway and is expected to be completed by 2027. Once completed, the chargers will support the continued growth of DASH’s battery-electric fleet while increasing operational flexibility and efficiency for riders.
As Alexandria continues to grow, DASH remains committed to delivering sustainable, reliable, and innovative transit service. Our ongoing investments in electrification and infrastructure are designed to continue reducing emissions, strengthening local and regional mobility, keeping Alexandria moving forward.
