Transdev Canada, a private operator of school buses, has ordered 27 new electric school buses from Québec firm Lion Electric, an investment of just under $4.5 million (Canadian).

The company’s fleet of 31 e-buses will be gradually introduced on school transport networks in the Estrie and Montérégie regions of Québec, beginning with the start of the school year in September 2020. Transdev’s ambition is to electrify 100% of its Québec school bus fleet by 2025.

Transdev, which operates in 20 countries, says its worldwide fleet already includes 800 electric buses, and will include 1,200 electrified buses (battery-electric and fuel cell) by the end of the year.

Transdev has chosen to develop an energy transition plan for school transportation in Québec, because most of the local energy is produced from hydroelectric sources, and therefore among the cleanest in the world. The introduction of the e-buses promises to reduce pollution by 99% compared to fossil vehicles.

“We wanted to demonstrate a strong commitment regarding energy transition, and in particular to serve the younger generations who are the public transportation passengers of tomorrow,” said Arthur Nicolet, CEO of Transdev Canada. “We have done so with two key partners: the Québec government, whose support is crucial to our electrification strategy, and Lion, a local Québec company with which we have been working for a long time.”

“We have been happy to support Transdev in their commitment to sustainable mobility since 2016,” said Marc Bédard, President and founder of Lion Electric. With 31 100% electric LionC school buses in their fleet, Transdev’s green shift is certain to have a major impact on the environment and children’s health for years to come.”

Source: Transdev