Seattle’s King County Metro is advancing its electrification efforts with the addition of 120 Tesla Model Y vehicles to its vanpool fleet. The expansion will increase the share of electric vehicles in the fleet to nearly 10%, aligning with the agency’s broader goal to fully electrify its rideshare operations by 2030.
“Vanpooling is similar to carpooling. Commuters share the driving and have a common schedule and route to work. With a Metro Vanpool, all costs are included in one low monthly fare,” King County Metro explained. The agency estimates that about 1,000 Metro vanpools operate daily, serving as a critical resource for local commuters.
King County Metro selected the Tesla Model Y because it “meets county electrification requirements and federal rideshare vehicle specs for FTA grants,” according to a statement. The agency also noted that the Model Y’s purchase price is comparable to gasoline-powered minivans, making it a cost-effective choice. However, the agency emphasized it is not limiting future fleet decisions to Tesla. “We will explore and consider all available EV options,” King County Metro added.
This announcement follows other electrification efforts by King County Metro. Recently, the agency ordered a fleet of electric buses from Solaris, set to arrive in 2026, and tasked Kiepe with upgrading batteries for its New Flyer Xcelsior electric buses. Earlier in 2024, the agency placed a major order for 395 electric buses from Gillig.
