Alexandria, Virginis, DASH Breaks Ground on DMV's First On-Route Electric Bus Chargers

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Alexandria DASH Breaks Ground on DMV’s First On-Route Electric Bus Chargers

Judith Fogel
3 hours ago 3 minutes read

Alexandria, VA — On a rain-soaked Tuesday afternoon, June 23, DASH Bus joined city, state, federal, and regional leaders under a tent at the West Alexandria Transit Center to mark a milestone: the DMV’s first on-route electric bus opportunity charger.

Behind them, cranes rose over the half-finished gleaming buildings of the sprawling West End redevelopment, where the former Landmark Mall is being transformed into a new urban district.

Are you confused about how this all works? And what’s an electric bus opportunity charger anyway?

https://storage.googleapis.com/stateless-ceoblognation-com/2026/06/a9c47dab-electric-route-bus-chargers-1024x767.jpe
A rendering shows the planned overhead pantograph charging station at the West Alexandria Transit Center. The charger lowers onto the roof of a parked electric bus, allowing it to recharge during scheduled route breaks and extend its operating range. Courtesy image.

Daniel O’Shea breaks it down for us. He is ABM Industries’ lead developer on the project. ... “It’s an overhead pantograph charger that comes down and touches the top of the bus. It’s also an opportunity charger so it’s on route for the buses,” he explained in an interview with The Zebra before the ceremony began. “This will allow DASH to extend its bus range. When the bus leaves, it only has a set range for the electrical battery. This will allow the bus driver to park, take a break, charge while they’re taking that break, and then extend that route range for DASH to serve its customers.”

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