US motorcoach company MTRWestern has acquired two new CX45E electric buses manufactured by ABC Companies and Van Hool, as well as two new Ford E-Transit electric shuttle vans.

The 45-foot CX45e models from ABC can carry up to 56 passengers each, while the two Ford E-Transit electric shuttle vans can transport up to 11 passengers each. MTRWestern now has five EVs in its fleet, and plans to add four more electric buses by the end of 2025. The company owns a 45-foot Van Hool CX45e that has run a 200-mile round trip Amtrak Cascades route between Seattle and Bellingham since last year.

“Today’s modern electric buses offer travel ranges over 270 miles per charge that can handle long regional daily routes without concerns of recharging. Our fast-charging capabilities at our Seattle and Portland depots during interim stops or breaks between charter services also allow us to top up battery levels as needed,” said MTRWestern President Jeremy Butzlaff. “Depending on the speed and scale of regional charging infrastructure, we will eventually be able to deploy these zero-emission buses across our full regional network without compromising operational efficiency or customer experience.”

Source: MTRWestern