The urgent global need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has intensified efforts to develop sustainable transportation solutions. This study examines the environmental impacts of two transit bus technologies, battery-electric and 100% biodiesel (B100) internal combustion engine (ICE), within Oahu, Hawaii, a region heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels with unique environmental and logistical challenges. Employing a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, the study evaluates both technologies across multiple environmental impact categories, including energy consumption, water use, and greenhouse gas emissions, over a vehicle's lifespan. Data was modeled using the GREET model tailored to Hawaii's regional characteristics, including local biodiesel production and the island's specific electricity grid mix. Results indicate that B100 biodiesel ICE buses currently have a lower environmental impact compared to battery-electric buses in terms of energy and water consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, which are primarily driven by the high fossil fuel content in Hawaii's electricity grid and the lifecycle impact of lithium-ion batteries. This analysis suggests that integrating locally sourced B100 biodiesel into Hawaii's public transportation fleet may be a more immediate, sustainable option. In contrast, battery-electric buses could become more viable as Hawaii transitions to a renewable energy grid. The study underscores the importance of a regionalized, systemslevel approach in evaluating sustainable transportation technologies and providing strategic recommendations to inform policy decisions. However, limitations of the study include reliance on generic component data and the exclusion of infrastructure impacts, highlighting areas for refined data in future analyses.
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