City of Brantford is adding two battery electric buses to its fleet, marking the first use of battery electric vehicles in regular transit service in the municipality.
The new buses are expected to enter service this month and will operate on routes throughout the city.
Rather than replace existing vehicles, the buses will expand Brantford Transit’s fleet and increase overall capacity. Their introduction supports the City’s Climate Change Action Plan and recommendations from the Transit Fleet Electrification Feasibility Study, which identified opportunities to reduce emissions from the City’s fleet operations.
“Introducing electric buses to Brantford’s Transit’s fleet is an important step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from City operations and advancing our climate action goals. By transitioning away from traditional diesel vehicles, we’re investing in cleaner transportation that will help improve local air quality and reduce our environmental impact while supporting a more sustainable future for our community,” said Sue Brocklebank, Climate Change Officer for the City of Brantford
Battery electric buses produce zero tailpipe emissions and operate more quietly than conventional diesel buses, helping improve air quality and enhancing the rider experience. Based on estimated operating data, each bus is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 90 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) annually compared with a conventional diesel bus.
The buses will be charged overnight at the Transit Services Centre using newly installed charging infrastructure. The project also included electrical infrastructure upgrades to support the new buses and future fleet electrification initiatives.
“We’re excited to welcome these buses to the fleet and begin learning more about how this technology can support our public transit system. While the Brantford Transit team gains valuable experience operating and maintaining battery electric vehicles, riders will enjoy a quieter and cleaner trip. The lessons learned from these first two buses will help inform how we plan for the future,” said Shane Pepper, Director of Fleet and Transit Services for the City of Brantford.
In addition to environmental benefits, electric buses are expected to reduce fuel and maintenance costs over time. Brantford Transit will monitor the performance of the new vehicles as they enter service and use the experience gained to inform future fleet planning.
