New Flyer Industries Canada ULC (New Flyer), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (NFI) and a leader in zero-emission electric mobility solutions, announced two new firm orders for a total of 51 Xcelsior CHARGE NG™ battery-electric 40-foot transit buses from OC Transpo in Ottawa. This purchase was contracted via the Toronto Transit Commission contract awarded to New Flyer in 2023 which allows for local Ontario agencies to piggyback purchases. The order is supported by funds invested by a loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank and a grant from Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC). The units were added to New Flyer’s firm backlog in Q4 2023.
OC Transpo’s bus and O-Train network spans 480 square kmacross Ottawa, Ontario and into Gatineau, Quebec. OC Transpo aims to reach a zero-emission fleet by 2036, and this procurement aligns with other zero-emission bus (ZEB) transition initiatives currently underway for the agency, including garage and infrastructure updates to support the operation of the new ZEB fleet.
“This important order follows the completion of a successful pilot project at OC Transpo that began in 2021 and included the launch of four Xcelsior CHARGE® buses into revenue service,” said Chris Stoddart, President, North American Bus and Coach, NFI. “New Flyer has leveraged advanced technologies and our extensive zero-emission experience to create these vehicles, and this combination has resulted in an industry-leading battery-electric bus.”
New Flyer’s Xcelsior CHARGE NG™ bus incorporates three distinct technology advancements: high-energy batteries, advanced protective battery packaging for easy installation and simpler serviceability, and a lightweight electric traction drive system with up to 90% energy recovery. For more information, visit newflyer.com/ng.
NFI is a leader in zero-emission mobility, with electric vehicles operating (or on order) in more than 150 cities in six countries. NFI offers the widest range of zero-emission battery and fuel cell-electric buses and coaches, and its vehicles have completed over 195 million EV service miles.
Today, NFI supports growing North American cities with scalable, clean, and sustainable mobility solutions through its mobility solution ecosystem, which includes buses and coaches; infrastructure; parts and service; technology; workforce development and training; and vehicle financing. NFI also operates the Vehicle Innovation Center (“VIC”), the first and only innovation lab of its kind dedicated to advancing bus and coach technology and providing workforce development. Since opening in late 2017, the VIC has hosted over 400 interactive events, welcoming 9,000 industry professionals for EV and infrastructure training.
