New Flyer Celebrates the Ontario Launch for CUTRIC’s Pan-Canadian Electric Bus Demonstration and Integration Trial

New Flyer Industries Canada ULC has celebrated the second official launch of the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium Pan-Canadian Electric Bus Demonstration and Integration Trial, occurring in Newmarket, Ontario.

The project involves on-route high-powered charging stations integrating with local utility systems. It spans three communities across Canada (Vancouver, Brampton and York Region) and will test interoperability of electric transit vehicles using a new standardized high-powered overhead charging system. The Newmarket event celebrates the launch of Ontario’s York and Brampton region, following the Vancouver launch that occurred April 12, 2018.

“With this launch, CUTRIC reinforces its industry leadership in technology and further commitment to interoperability amongst electric buses in Canada,” said Jennifer McNeill, Vice President, Sales and Business Development with New Flyer and a current Board member for CUTRIC. “As an innovation leader in transportation, New Flyer is proud to have participated in this project. It sets an important foundation for smart mobility, reduced emissions, efficient operation, and heightened collaboration within Canadian public transportation – and establishes Canada as a leader in interoperability.”

The project is expected to reduce direct CO2 emissions by up to 101,867 TCO2E over the lifecycle of the vehicles deployed across the country. In York Region, Newmarket-Tay Power Distribution will own and operate the charger station on behalf of York Region Transit, marking the first time in North America that a utility has owned and operated a charging system on behalf of a transit agency. In Brampton, Brampton Transit will own its own charging systems, but outsource operations to ABB Group.

With a vision to make Canada a global leader in zero- and low-emissions transportation technologies, including advanced and integrated mobility technologies, CUTRIC works to support research and development through industry-academic collaborations that bring innovation, design, and manufacturing to Canada’s transportation supply chain. Through this work, CUTRIC will help decrease fuel consumption, avoid wasted infrastructure assets, and reduce redundancies in operations. New Flyer has been a member of CUTRIC since inception.

As cities adopt battery-electric, zero-emission vehicles at increasing rates, standards in charging and connectivity will be essential for city operation. CUTRIC helps to achieve that and builds a platform for Smart Mobility development. In February 2018, New Flyer committed to leading collaboration, cooperation, and the technological advancement of Smart Mobility in North America; supporting development of Smart Cities through advanced transit solutions. It followed in April 2018 with becoming the first bus manufacturer in the world to sign on to Shared Mobility Principles for Livable Cities.