Skip to main content

Canadian government invests in electric bus infrastructure

The government of Canada will invest CAN1.2m into the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority’s (TransLink’s) demonstration project to install overhead charging stations for electric buses in Vancouver. The fund follows a commitment to support initiatives that provide citizens with more options for clean 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
April 26, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

The government of Canada will invest CAN1.2m 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 fund follows a commitment to support initiatives that provide citizens with more options for clean 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 CAN182.5m 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

  • European fast charger project launched
    December 18, 2014
    The launch of the European Ten-T European Long-Distance Electric Clean Transport Road Infrastructure Corridor (Electric) which is co-funded by the EU and supports the installation of a corridor of high-quality fast chargers along key European motorways until the end of 2015, aims to accelerate electric vehicle uptake in the involved member states. Its focus is on interoperability, sustainable infrastructure setup and network planning and infrastructure deployment. The aim of the project is be to create a
  • US budget proposals seek recognise ITS benefits
    April 30, 2015
    President Obama’s latest budget brings some good news for the transportation and ITS sectors. President Obama’s proposed 2016 budget could see more progress on many of America’s ingrained transportation problems than has been achieved in some time and includes a six-year $478 billion surface transportation reauthorisation. That is, of course, provided it clears all of the administrative hurdles to become law.
  • European Investment Bank supports electric cars in France
    October 15, 2012
    The European Investment bank is to lend a total of US$265 million to support the research, development and deployment of an electric-car sharing service in Paris, France. Following a loan of US$168 million to Groupe Bolloré in 2011 to support the research, development and innovation process, further financing of US$75 million was recently agreed to help fund new services and will go towards: deployment of an interconnected roadside and recharging/parking network; research, development and innovation of subs
  • Zero emission delivery vehicle project begins in Houston
    September 2, 2013
    The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) has teamed up with the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) and Smith Electric Vehicles Corporation to reduce vehicle emissions from delivery trucks in the region. As part of a US Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored effort, local fleets will replace existing diesel delivery vehicles with thirty all-electric medium and heavy-duty Smith Newton trucks for daily operations in the Houston-Galveston area.