MARTA will replace six diesel buses with zero-emission battery electric models, thanks to a $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

By replacing the 2005 diesel buses, MARTA says it will save energy equivalent to nearly 250 years of gasoline for the average American car driver. It also will reduce MARTA’s emissions by 935 short tons of greenhouses gases.

The new 40-foot buses are expected to be deployed by July 2021. They will run on Routes 2 (Ponce de Leon/East Lake) and 102 (Ponce de Leon/Little Five Points), which share a common western terminus at MARTA’s North Avenue station.

The agency partnered with the nonprofit Center for Transportation and the Environment on the grant application.

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Helen Gilbert places flowers on her brother Eurie Martin’s grave at Camp Spring Baptist Church in Sandersville. Her brother died eight years ago. Three former Washington County deputies are accused of causing his death and are set to stand trial Monday. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez