NFI announces first battery-electric bus order from University of Michigan for up to 54 buses
New Flyer of America Inc. (New Flyer) has received an order from the University of Michigan-Transportation Services (U-M), for three zero-emission, battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE NG™ 40-foot buses and one 60-foot articulated Xcelsior CHARGE NG™ bus.
The contract has a base term of one year with 13 one-year renewal terms and marks New Flyer’s first bus order from U-M. The contract also includes options for up to 50 Xcelsior® heavy-duty transit buses in 35-foot, 40-foot and 60-foot lengths in both electric and diesel propulsion.
U-M operates a large alternative-energy vehicle fleet. With nearly 1,000 vehicles in its fleet, the university has committed to achieving university-wide carbon neutrality by 2040.
“NFI is proud to support U-M’s commitment to sustainability with our advanced battery-electric buses,” said Chris Stoddart, president, North American Bus and Coach. “Drawing on over 50 years of engineering experience in zero-emission mobility, our EVs offer up to 250 miles in range on a single charge and will immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions, delivering cleaner, quieter, more sustainable mobility to the U-M community.”
Introduced in 2021, New Flyer says the Xcelsior CHARGE NG™ bus incorporates high-energy batteries that extend range up to 13 percent, advanced protective battery packaging for easy install and simpler serviceability and a new lightweight electric traction drive system with up to 90 percent energy recovery.
