Canadian government invests in electric bus infrastructure

The government of Canada will invest CAN$1.2m into the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority’s (TransLink’s) demonstration project to install overhead charging stations for electric buses in Vancouver. The funding follows a commitment to support initiatives that provide citizens with more options for environmentally-friendly driving. Bus manufacturers New Flyer Industries and Nova Bus will develop the electric transit buses while ABB and Siemens will develop the chargers. These companies
April 26, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

The government of Canada will invest CAN$1.2m into the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority’s (376 TransLink’s) demonstration project to install overhead charging stations for electric buses in Vancouver. The funding follows a commitment to support initiatives that provide citizens with more options for environmentally-friendly driving.

Bus manufacturers New Flyer Industries and Nova Bus will develop the electric transit buses while ABB and Siemens will develop the chargers. These companies will also evaluate the products’ interoperability and performance.

Additionally, the government has invested CAN$182.5m to support the development of electric chargers, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, the demonstration of new charging technologies and the advancement of codes and standards.

Kevin Desmond, CEO of TransLink, said: "Mass transit has always scored high as a sustainable way to move large numbers of people, but many transit vehicles still use carbon-based fuels. Today, almost half our bus fleet runs on cleaner technology including our electric trolley, hybrid diesel and natural gas buses. With this fast-charge, battery-electric trial, TransLink is getting the on-the-ground experience we need."

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Shock therapy: jolt for EV charging needed
    October 2, 2018
    As sales of electric vehicles accelerate, the growth of charging infrastructure is in need of a big boost. Graham Anderson reports on whether Europe is up to it. Utilities, technology companies and vehicle manufacturers are battling to put in place new charging networks for electric vehicles (EVs) across Europe in response to a predicted dramatic surge in demand. Market experts believe that rapidly falling battery costs – which make up about one third of the costs of an electric car – and growing
    Read More
  • Multimodal RideLink pilot starts in Vancouver
    March 7, 2024
    Year-long programme allows residents to use Compass Card for easy access to all services
    Read More
  • Largest electric bus fleet in world nears
    April 25, 2012
    BYD, manufacturer of the first long-range (300+ km), all-electric bus has been selected as the sole eBus provider for the 2011 International Universiade Games which will be held in Shenzhen, China. The company will deliver over 300 eBus-12 units by this coming August. After the Universiade Games, they will be will be incorporated into Shenzhen’s city bus fleet, creating the largest all-electric bus fleet in the world.
    Read More
  • Global mobility study: world on the move
    November 27, 2020
    ERF reviews impact of new mobility on road infrastructure in 20 countries pre-Covid
    Read More

Highlighted Content