Motor Coach Industries delivers first J4500 CHARGE 45-foot coaches

Dec. 21, 2022

The battery-electric, zero-emission luxury coaches feature spacious interiors with industry-leading legroom and will complement clean-diesel models in the California Bay Area employee shuttle market.

Related To: NFI Group

One of the two J4500 CHARGE zero-emission vehicles.

Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (NFI), has delivered its first battery-electric J4500 coaches in North America, with two battery-electric, zero-emission J4500 CHARGE 45-foot coaches going to a California Bay Area operator.

The battery-electric, zero-emission luxury coaches feature spacious interiors with industry-leading legroom and will complement clean-diesel models in the California Bay Area employee shuttle market. Technology companies in the Bay Area first introduced employee commuting in the late 1990s to offer alternative commuter options to supplement local public transportation.

“MCI is proud to deliver our first battery-electric J4500 CHARGE coaches to the Bay Area employee shuttle market,” said Brent Maitland, vice president, sales and marketing, MCI. “This growing market continues to advance employee transportation, making commuter shuttle service even more environmentally friendly, inviting and comfortable. The employee shuttle market is an excellent application for MCI's EVs, as their range covers the length of the shuttle service routes and does not require a large amount of baggage bay space. MCI has rigorously tested J4500 CHARGE coach for this business segment throughout location in the U.S. and Canada to ensure its high performance for our customers.”

Introduced in 2021, the J4500 CHARGE is a zero-emission version of the industry’s best-selling J series tour and charter luxury coach. Powered by American-made, high-energy batteries, the J4500 CHARGE leverages EV technology from New Flyer and delivers a range of over 230 miles on a single charge.

All MCI battery-electric coaches incorporate advanced EV technology, including enhanced regeneration for energy recovery and greater efficiency, a smooth-riding suspension and a high-torque electric drive system for efficient performance at highway speeds. Designed for long-distance applications, MCI electric coaches deliver plug-in battery charging to 100 percent in four hours or less.