WeDriveU and Northwestern University are celebrating the first anniversary of a fleet of 12 hybrid-electric buses serving the university’s Evanston and Chicago campuses - delivering significant reductions in emissions alongside a quieter, more comfortable journey for passengers.

The buses were introduced in September 2025 as part of Northwestern University’s wider programme to modernise campus transportation and reduce its environmental impact. The initiative builds on WeDriveU’s partnership with the university, which began in 2019.

Since their introduction, the buses have carried 520,000 passengers, reduced CO₂ emissions by 201 metric tonnes and saved nearly 20,000 gallons of diesel.

According to Northwestern’s sustainability team, each hybrid-electric bus delivers an environmental benefit equivalent to removing three traditional diesel buses from the road.

Technology is helping to maximise their impact. Geofencing and GPS allow the buses to automatically switch to battery power in designated areas, reducing noise and emissions in residential neighbourhoods, while onboard technology supports driver safety and efficiency.

The fleet forms part of Northwestern’s wider plans to modernise campus transportation and reduce its environmental impact, building on its partnership with WeDriveU, which began in 2019.

David Goshen, Regional Vice President of Operations at WeDriveU, said: “This project is a great example of stakeholders joining together from the public and private sector to drive value from sustainability projects. We congratulate Northwestern on cleaner mobility options that are making a positive impact on the campus and community.”