BUSINESS

Canada Announces the Largest Electric Bus Project in North America

May 20, 2023

The Canadian federal government is partnering with Quebec to buy 1,229 electric buses.
The plan will help fund ten public transit organizations to transition their fleets to be 100% electric.
Nova Bus won the contract to manufacture the buses, which must use at least 25% Canadian materials and must have their final assembly done in Canada.

The Canadian and Quebec governments have teamed up to launch the largest electric bus acquisition project in North America. Nearly CA$1.9 billion has been invested in this electric bus project. The federal government is contributing CA$780 million, while the province itself is chipping in over CA$1.1 billion. The aim? To purchase a grand total of 1,229 electric buses and revolutionize public transit.

How the Funds Will Be Used

The funding will support ten public transportation organizations in transitioning their bus fleets to 100% electric. This electric bus project aligns with Quebec’s Plan for a Green Economy (PEV 2030) and the federal government’s Emissions Reduction Plan. The representative responsible for procuring these buses is the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), working on behalf of nine other transit agencies.

To maximize local economic benefits, the call for tenders stipulated that 25% of the materials used must be Canadian-sourced, and final assembly should take place within the country.

Nova Bus, headquartered in Saint-Eustache, won the contract to manufacture these buses following a public tender process. All buses covered by the contract will be produced and assembled in Nova Bus’ Quebec plant, ensuring significant economic benefits for the region and Canada as a whole.

About Canada’s Commitment to Greener Transit

Over the past six years, the Canadian federal government has invested over CA$24.8 billion in transit projects to provide Canadians with cleaner and more efficient commuting options.

Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, emphasized the importance of enhancing the electric public transit network throughout the province. “Across Quebec, citizens rely on public transit to get where they need to be each day. With today’s $780 million investment, our government is enhancing the electric public transit network across the province. We will continue to partner with the Government of Quebec to deliver modern and reliable infrastructure that meets the needs of our communities today and into the future,” he said.

Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Quebec Lieutenant, highlighted the federal government’s commitment to fighting climate change and supporting Quebec’s green economy. He stated that investing in electric buses not only addresses environmental concerns but also fosters the development of broader green industries for the future.