CTE-backed Zero Emission Bus Conference 2027 to take place in San Francisco on August 23–25

The US-focused Zero Emission Bus Conference (ZEB Con) will take place in downtown San Francisco, California, on August 23–25, 2027.

Organiser Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) has opened early bird registration for the three-day event, which will bring together transit agencies, shuttle operators, manufacturers, technology providers and other public transport stakeholders.

The programme will cover the fleet transition process from operators’ perspectives, spanning initial planning, technology selection, infrastructure development, workforce preparation, operations and long-term implementation.

Early bird registration is available through the ZEB Con website, while fleet operators can submit an abstract online.

ZEB Con 2027 to cover BEV and fuel cell buses

Panel sessions will address practical experience with zero-emission buses, including fleet transition planning, charging and hydrogen infrastructure, maintenance, funding and workforce development. Keynote presentations will cover policies, technologies and market developments.

An exhibition hall will host manufacturers, suppliers and service providers working on zero-emission vehicles and supporting infrastructure. The programme also includes a static vehicle display during the “Happy Bus Hour” event and dedicated networking sessions.

According to CTE, managers and staff from bus and shuttle fleets consistently account for more than half of conference attendees. The event brings these operators together with organisations supplying vehicles, infrastructure and transition support.

SamTrans depot tours to showcase operations

The 2027 conference will include tours hosted by the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) at its North and South Bases.

Participants will visit battery-electric and fuel cell electric bus operations, charging and hydrogen refuelling installations, and infrastructure investments underway to accommodate the agency’s expanding zero-emission fleet.

CTE has also opened a call for fleet operators to submit presentation abstracts. Submissions may address public or private battery-electric and fuel cell electric fleets operating in transit, university, school, airport and other transport applications.

In brief

• When and where is ZEB Con 2027? August 23–25, 2027, in downtown San Francisco, California.
• Who organises the conference? The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE).
• What will the SamTrans tours cover? Battery-electric and fuel cell bus operations, charging, hydrogen refuelling and infrastructure development.

“ZEB Con is one of the best events for the public transit bus industry, bringing together OEMs, suppliers, consultants, government leaders, and regional agencies from across the ecosystem,” said Venki Sundarraj, Vice President of Business Development at Triz Engineering. “It creates opportunities to bridge gaps, address evolving market needs, and work through the root causes of challenges—all in pursuit of common goals for the future of bus transportation.”

“I found the content, informational sessions and networking very valuable,” said Michele Craig, Director of Transit Administration at Broome County Transit. “Broome County is still just starting on this electrification journey and hearing the real-life applications from other agencies will help steer us in the right direction.”