According to green energy advocates, U.S. cities are on the cusp of large-scale electric bus purchases, paving the way for a greener and zero-emissions future. This year, for instance, San Francisco committed to a fully-electric vehicle fleet by 2035, before testing electric buses on the hilly routes of the city. San Francisco is hardly alone; Seattle signed onto an international pledge to only use electric buses starting in 2025. Dallas unveiled their own electric fleet, introducing seven vehicles for downtown services with the help of more than $7 million from the Federal Transit Administration (aka federal taxpayers).

There’s little evidence, though, to justify these large-scale undertakings. Electric buses are unlikely to serve citizens at a lower fiscal and environmental cost than a regular fleet. Pilot experiences, coupled with detailed projections, show that “the wave of the future” is an expensive, disruptive alternative to the status quo. Instead of going electric, mayors and other local officials should look for other ways to produce better transportation services for residents.