Alexandria’s DASH launches first on-route electric bus charging project in Washington region

The Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) has begun construction of an on-route charging system for its battery-electric bus fleet in Alexandria, Virginia. According to North American trade media, the project will deliver the first on-route electric bus chargers in the City of Alexandria, Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region.

The project was officially launched with a groundbreaking ceremony at the West End Alexandria redevelopment site, formerly Landmark Mall, attended by local officials, transportation representatives and project partners. Speakers included DASH General Manager and CEO Josh Baker, DASH Board Chair David Kaplan, Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins and U.S. Representative Don Beyer.

The Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) is the municipal public transport operator serving the City of Alexandria, an independent city in Northern Virginia located immediately south of Washington, D.C. The agency operates local bus services throughout Alexandria while connecting with the wider transit network of the Washington metropolitan area, including Metrorail and regional bus services.

Two 360 kW pantograph chargers for in-service charging

The opportunity charging infrastructure is funded through a partnership between DASH and the City of Alexandria, supported by more than $1 million in federal funding secured through the Fiscal Year 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act.

Local outlet Alexandria Brief reports that the project follows other electrification investments by DASH, including the introduction of two 60-foot battery-electric articulated buses on the Line 35 corridor earlier this year and the start of a depot expansion project in late 2025. That facility is planned to accommodate up to 30 additional buses and infrastructure for up to 24 future overhead pantograph chargers.

In brief

• What infrastructure is DASH building? Two 360 kW overhead pantograph opportunity chargers for battery-electric buses.
• Why is the project significant? According to DASH, they are the first on-route electric bus chargers in Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region.
• How many electric buses does DASH currently operate? The agency has 16 battery-electric buses in service and 20 additional vehicles under procurement.
• When will the charging system be completed? Construction is scheduled for completion in 2027.

The project includes the installation of two overhead pantograph chargers capable of delivering charging power of up to 360 kW. Unlike conventional depot charging, the opportunity charging system is designed to recharge buses within minutes while they remain in passenger service.

According to DASH, the infrastructure will extend vehicle operating range, increase fleet utilization, improve service reliability and reduce downtime associated with longer charging cycles. The agency also states that it has worked with bus manufacturers to ensure compatibility with both its current battery-electric buses and future vehicle procurements.

Earlier in 2026, DASH selected ABM to deliver the charging infrastructure.

About DASH electrification project

DASH and the City of Alexandria adopted a target in 2019 to transition the transit agency’s fleet to 100% zero-emission vehicles. Since then, 16 battery-electric buses have entered service, while another 20 vehicles have already been funded and are currently under procurement.

Construction of the charging infrastructure is expected to be completed in 2027.

Josh Baker, General Manager and CEO of DASH, is quoted as saying: “This project reflects years of planning and collaboration to support our transition to an all-electric fleet. As the first on-route electric bus chargers in Northern Virginia and the [Washington] D.C. 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 [Don] Beyer (D-VA-8) for helping make this possible. We at DASH are excited to see these improvements better our riders’ experiences in day-to-day service.”