CTDOT orders up to 75 zero-emission battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE buses from New Flyer

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has awarded New Flyer a contract for 12 Xcelsior CHARGE™ battery-electric, 40-foot heavy-duty transit buses, with options to purchase up to 63 additional zero-emission buses in 35- or 40-foot lengths throughout the remaining term of the five-year agreement.

"For over 25 years, we have supported CTDOT with reliable transportation, delivering over 900 New Flyer buses and MCI coaches. With a goal of building more livable and sustainable communities, CTDOT is now counting on New Flyer technology for zero-emission adoption at scale," said Chris Stoddart, president, New Flyer and MCI. "Every Xcelsior CHARGE bus on Connecticut roads will reduce up to 160 tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year, delivering immediate benefits with cleaner, quieter, more sustainable mobility – a win for everyone."

The purchase, supported by Federal Transit Administration funds, furthers CTDOT's Electric Bus Initiative, a partnership between CTDOT, CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and bus transit providers that commits to providing a safe, reliable, sustainable clean energy transportation system.

"We are thrilled to be developing – and soon operating – the first full-sized automated buses in revenue service in North America," said Dennis Solensky, transit administrator, CTDOT. "And, we believe we have assembled a world class team to lead and accomplish this remarkable challenge."

New Flyer technology is powering CTDOT's pursuit of sustainable integrated mobility. In 2020, New Flyer announced in partnership with CTDOT, Robotic Research and the Center for Transportation and the Environment that it would deploy North America's first automated transit bus on CTfastrak with a battery-electric, Society of Automotive Engineers J3016 Level 4 automated transit bus.