Transit riders in the Capital Region will soon benefit from brand new cleaner, quieter electric buses.
BC Transit’s first series of electric buses and charging equipment will be coming to Victoria as part of the goal to transition to an entirely electric fleet by 2040.
After a rigorous procurement process, the contract to build and deliver the first 10 heavy-duty electric buses to BC Transit has been finalized and formally awarded to Proterra Operating Company Inc. (Proterra). The non-exclusive contract will additionally enable BC Transit to advance the Low Carbon Fleet Program with the purchase of additional buses, chargers, and supporting services from Proterra, with a potential 500 heavy-duty buses expected to be replaced in the next 10 years. The contract also allows BC Transit the flexibility to respond to changing market dynamics and technology.
Proterra was named the successful proponent on May 16th, 2022. The first project under the contract is for $20 million for the Victoria electric bus project. The contract award completes the competitive procurement process that began in the fall of 2020.
Proterra is a leader in the design and manufacture of zero-emission electric transit vehicles and EV technology solutions for commercial applications. With more than 800 vehicles on the road today, Proterra battery systems have been proven over 25 million service miles driven and are selected by world-class commercial vehicle manufacturers to electrify delivery vehicles, construction equipment, school buses, coach buses and more.
As part of the project, one electric bus will be deployed in Victoria in Fall 2022 in preparation for the 10 built-to-order buses that will be delivered starting in Summer 2023. The contract allows BC Transit the option of purchasing more heavy-duty electric buses, charging equipment, and supporting services in the future.
The project is being cost shared with the Government of Canada contributing 40 per cent and the Province of BC contributing 40 per cent of eligible costs. Federal funding for the buses, charging equipment, and the associated infrastructure project is provided through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
Electric Buses have many advantages — most importantly they use B.C.’s readily available renewable electricity, resulting in nearly zero emissions from operations. These buses are also more efficient, quieter, and have lower operating costs.
BC Transit will continue working to pursue future electric bus projects, encouraged by CleanBC, Provincial support, and Government of Canada funding programs designed to help public transit fleets transition to electrification.
Learn more:
In July 2019 BC Transit announced its Low Carbon Fleet Program which aligns with the Province’s CleanBC and forms a core component of the organization’s strategic vision for the future. The Low Carbon Fleet Program was established to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and includes a 10-year fleet strategy to replace over 1200 buses with electric buses.
Proterra Transit battery-electric buses feature zero tailpipe emissions, saving approximately 230,000 pounds of greenhouse gases annually when replacing a diesel bus. The company’s fleet of zero-emission, electric transit buses have displaced over 140 million pounds of CO2 tailpipe emissions.
To learn more about Proterra and their products and services, please visit https://www.Proterra.com/
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities:
“Investments in public transit help create meaningful change in communities across the country. Today’s contract signing is taking B.C. one step further on the path of cleaner transportation. Our Government is proud to support the expansion of BC Transit’s low carbon fleet in Victoria and work towards our collective goal of achieving net-zero by 2050 through innovative public transit infrastructure.”
Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure:
“This is an important first step toward BC transit’s goal of achieving a zero-emission transit system by 2040. Clean, green, efficient and affordable public transit is a key component of our government’s strategy to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. These new electric vehicles represent the future of public transit in B.C. and I look forward to seeing them on the road next year.”
Susan Brice, Chair, Victoria Regional Transit Commission:
“This project is both an important step towards meeting our low carbon fleet commitments and is significant for people who will benefit from cleaner transportation. Looking to the future, we know that more people riding electric buses means better environmental outcomes.”
Erinn Pinkerton, President & CEO, BC Transit:
“The contract award for the first 10 electric buses is an important and significant milestone that sets BC Transit firmly on the path to replace existing diesel buses with electric ones. People are looking for ways to reduce emissions in their everyday lives, electric buses further solidify BC Transit as a proven solution.”
Aaron Lamb, Vice President, Asset Management and Chief Sustainability Officer:
“These first buses further demonstrate our organizational commitment to transitioning our fleet with electric systems. BC Transit is proud to continually show leadership and innovation when it comes to demonstrating our goals in sustainability.”
Chad Berndt, Program Director, Low Carbon Fleet Program:
“This project is an exciting step, with our first battery electric buses and chargers, but more than that, it’s the beginning of a transformation critical to supporting the future and staving off the worst outcomes of climate change.”
Gareth Joyce, Chief Executive Officer, Proterra:
“Proterra is incredibly proud to partner with BC Transit to bring our industry-leading electric transit buses and EV technology solutions to help drive British Columbia’s transition to zero-emission transportation. Through its embrace of innovative technology and historic commitment to electrification, BC Transit is leading the way for communities across North America to follow.”
