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Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) is partnering with the City of Madison, Wisconsin’s Metro Transit with the goal of electrifying half of the city’s bus fleet by 2035.

MGE will provide nearly $4 million in support over five years for the electric buses and infrastructure for a satellite bus facility.

The funding is subjected to regulatory approval. If approved, $1.5 million would be used for an optional rooftop photovoltaic (PV) solar system at the bus facility, $1.5 million for optional on-site, backup power, and up to $900,000 for charging infrastructure.

MGE would install, own and maintain these systems.

Madison is applying for a federal grant to fund the project.

“MGE shares the goal of a cleaner energy future with our customers and the communities we serve,” Jeff Keebler, MGE president and CEO, said in a letter of support as part of the application. “Deployment of zero-emission buses will play an important role in reaching our shared goal of reducing carbon emissions.”

MGE is the parent company of the regulated utility Madison Gas and Electric Co. and other subsidiaries.

In 2017, MGE submitted a letter of support for Metro Transit’s grant application under the Low-No Emission Vehicle Program.

Metro Transit received $1.3 million for three all-electric buses.