Canada’s third-largest city is expanding its public transportation fleet through the addition of more than 100 new electric buses.
Calgary Transit announced this month that The City is seeking to “replace aging vehicles and strengthen service reliability” by adding 120 electric buses to its fleet.
The EV-focused fleet expansion follows a significant federal investment from 2023, which saw the Canada Infrastructure Bank invest $165 million towards Calgary’s purchase of 259 zero-emission buses by 2027. The Government of Canada has goal of 5,000 ZEBs operating nationwide.
The move is also a pat of Calgary’s own goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
“This investment means more reliable service, lower operating costs over time and cleaner air in our communities,” stated Sharon Fleming, Director of Calgary Transit. “It also allows us to grow our fleet in a cost-effective way and prepare for future service demand.”
The Canadian-made electric buses are being purchased from Volvo Group’s Nova Bus.
The buses are expected to be in service by the end of 2028.
Calgary’s shift to electrified transit echoes other recent fleet shifts in Canada, such as The City of Whitehorse upgrading its public transportation system following record levels of ridership, and Brampton working with London-based Zenobē to launch a $4 billion initiative supporting the region’s transition to a lower-emissions economy.
As part of a decade-long electrification framework, Zenobē will help convert the bus fleet of Toronto’s largest suburb into an emission-free fleet.
The partnership intends to bring 1,000 electric buses to the roads and replace the city’s existing diesel vehicles, supporting current routes for 43 million passengers annually.
One of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, Brampton is home to nearly 800,000 people and more than 110,000 businesses.