Nova Bus has been awarded a contract by TransLink to supply the agency with 15 more battery-electric buses.
This order will more than quadruple TransLink’s current battery-electric bus fleet, increasing its fleet total from four to 19.
This acquisition is a critical step towards achieving TransLink’s aggressive approach to its Low Carbon Fleet Strategy, which includes:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent by 2030.
- Fully electrifying route 100 (22nd Street / Marpole Loop).
- Replacing all retiring conventional diesel buses with battery-electric buses.
- Transitioning to a fleet operating entirely on renewable energy by 2050.
“[This] announcement is about ensuring we continue our important transition toward a greener and more efficient transit system. Zero-emission battery-electric buses are the future of the transit industry, and this order more than quadruples our existing battery-electric bus fleet, bringing us one step closer to achieving our aggressive climate targets,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond. “TransLink already has one of the biggest electric trolleybus networks in North America, with 262 trolleybuses in service, and a SkyTrain network operating entirely on electricity. It’s exciting to be able to build on our success and move into a more sustainable era for public transit in Metro Vancouver.”
The 15 new battery-electric buses are expected to arrive and begin rolling into service on Route 100 in 2022. The C$16-million (US$12.5-million) contract is funded through the Federal Gas Tax Fund, with funding allotted through the Metro Vancouver Gas Tax Fund.
To pursue the further electrification of Metro Vancouver’s bus fleet in the coming years, TransLink has applied for funding from senior levels of government for 57 more battery-electric buses and for the supporting charging station infrastructure.
“We are proud to work once again with TransLink and to expand the sustainable transit footprint in the Vancouver area,” said Martin Larose, vice president and general manager of Nova Bus. “TransLink is leading sustainable mobility and shaping the community’s quality of life for the better. Together, we’re making the evolution to electric a reality for Vancouver and we are helping to build a more sustainable, livable and connected community.”
Quick facts:
- Each bus is expected to reduce 100 tons of greenhouse gas emissions and save C$40,000 (US$31,305) in fuel costs per year compared to a conventional diesel bus.
- The buses can be charged in approximately five minutes at charging stations while picking up passengers.
- More than half of TransLink’s fleet uses cleaner technology, including compressed natural gas, hybrid diesel-electric fuel, and fully electric vehicles.
