Octa's transportation blog

OCTA Advances Zero-Emission Bus Efforts

OCTA is taking the next steps to build a second hydrogen fueling station in Garden Grove, reinforcing its commitment to transition to a 100% zero-emission bus fleet by 2040.  

OCTA’s first hydrogen fueling station, opened in 2020 at the Santa Ana base, was the largest of its kind in the nation operated by a transit agency. Built with advanced fueling technology, the station demonstrated OCTA’s ability to lead in clean transit innovation while ensuring that large-scale hydrogen fueling could be deployed safely and efficiently in Orange County. 

Hydrogen fuel-cell buses are an important part of OCTA’s strategy because they are well-suited for high-demand transit corridors. These vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions—only water vapor—helping to reduce greenhouse gases and improve air quality across the region.  

OCTA continues to test both hydrogen fuel-cell and battery-electric buses to determine which technology—or mix of technologies—will best meet the county’s diverse transit needs. By investing in both approaches, OCTA is preparing for a flexible and resilient future that supports cleaner air, modern transit, and a more sustainable transportation system for Orange County.