SASKATOON - Saskatoon Transit has taken a significant step towards electrifying its bus fleet by signing a contract for two Nova LFSe+ electric buses.
These two buses will be the first permanent battery-electric buses in the Saskatoon Transit’s fleet and the first in Saskatchewan.
The long-range battery-electric buses can travel more than 300 kilometres on a single charge.
By using these buses, Saskatoon Transit expects to save approximately $44,000 annually per bus in fuel costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60 tonnes annually.
"Taking transit is already one of the best ways people can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, but through electrification and other actions outlined in the Low Emissions Community Plan, we’re working to reduce our impact on the climate further," said Transportation and Construction General Manager Terry Schmidt.
This investment in battery-electric buses is a critical step towards achieving climate targets outlined in the City of Saskatoon’s Low Emissions Community Plan and Climate Action Plan, which includes emission reductions of 55,000 tonnes of CO2e by 2050, increasing transit trips to five per cent of total trips by 2030 and 10 per cent by 2050.
City Council approved this $2.7 million investment in battery-electric buses in December 2021, with the delivery of these new buses expected in 2024.
"We are very excited that Saskatoon Transit will be experiencing the long-range electric version of the safe and reliable Nova Bus buses,” said Nova Bus President Ralph Acs.
"Electrifying transit bus fleets is the smartest option for transit authorities to reduce GHG emissions. We’re glad Saskatoon Transit is leading the way in Saskatchewan by acquiring the province’s first all-electric buses."
