In the USA, New Flyer has received a new order from the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) for 26 battery-electric Xcelsior Charge NG 40-foot transit buses. The new buses will help COTA meet the growing mobility demand in the Central Ohio region.
The order for additional electric buses follows COTA’s previous purchase of 14 BEV buses, announced in January this year. In turn, this order followed COTA’s previous purchase of eight Xcelsior Charge NG transit buses, announced in May 2022.
The orders support COTA’s goals of transitioning to a 100% zero-emission bus fleet by 2035 to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Chief Engineering and Mechanical Officer Andy Biesterveld confirmed, “With New Flyer CNG buses and now electric vehicles, we are on track to become a diesel-free fleet by 2025 and a zero-emission fixed-route fleet by 2035.”
COTA is a primary provider of public transit services for the greater Columbus and Central Ohio region. New Flyer says the latest order of electric buses for COTA will be equipped with 520 kWh batteries, which the company says can deliver more energy-efficient and longer-range buses.
Over the border in Canada last month, New Flyer signed a framework agreement with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to deliver up to 621 battery-powered buses. The public transport operator has already ordered 186 units. The Toronto order was for the same electric bus type as the 26 buses now bound for Ohio, the Xcelsior Charge NG.
NFI says it currently has electric vehicles operating or on order in more than 130 cities in six countries. NFI emphasises its “wide range of zero-emission battery and fuel cell electric buses and coaches”, saying that its vehicles have completed over 115 million EV service miles.
Keyword: New Flyer to supply 26 more electric buses to Ohio