Brantford Transit welcomes its first battery electric buses

BRANTFORD, ON – Brantford Transit is adding two battery electric buses to its fleet, marking the first use of battery electric vehicles in regular transit service in Brantford.

Manufactured in Canada by New Flyer, the 12-metre XE40 buses featuring the message “Zero Emissions. 100% Canadian” are expected to enter service this month and will operate on routes throughout the city.

Rather than replace existing vehicles, the buses will expand Brantford Transit’s fleet and increase overall capacity.  Their introduction supports the City's Climate Change Action Plan and recommendations from the Transit Fleet Electrification Feasibility Study, which identified opportunities to reduce emissions from the City’s fleet operations.

Battery electric buses produce zero tailpipe emissions and operate more quietly than conventional diesel buses, helping improve air quality and enhancing the rider experience. Based on estimated operating data, each bus is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 90 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) annually compared with a conventional diesel bus.

The buses will be charged overnight at the Transit Services Centre using newly installed charging infrastructure. The project also included electrical infrastructure upgrades to support the new buses and future fleet electrification initiatives.

In addition to environmental benefits, electric buses are expected to reduce fuel and maintenance costs over time. Brantford Transit will monitor the performance of the new vehicles as they enter service and use the experience gained to inform future fleet planning.

Quick facts

• Two battery electric buses are being added to the Brantford Transit fleet.
• The 12-metre New Flyer XE40 buses are manufactured in Canada and feature the message "Zero Emissions. 100% Canadian."
• The buses are expected to enter service in September 2026 and will operate on routes throughout the city.
• The new buses will expand Brantford Transit’s fleet, adding capacity without replacing any existing vehicles.
• Each bus is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 90 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) annually compared with a conventional diesel bus, based on estimated operating data. This reduction is equivalent to the carbon dioxide absorbed by approximately 4,500 mature trees.

Quotes

"The arrival of Brantford Transit’s first battery electric buses marks an exciting milestone for our community. These Canadian-made buses will help reduce emissions, support a more sustainable transit system and demonstrate how innovation can help us meet the needs of a growing city. This investment reflects our commitment to building a cleaner, greener future for Brantford residents." – Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis

"We're excited to welcome these buses to the fleet and begin learning more about how this technology can support our public transit system. While the Brantford Transit team gains valuable experience operating and maintaining battery electric vehicles, riders will enjoy a quieter and cleaner trip. The lessons learned from these first two buses will help inform how we plan for the future. – Shane Pepper, Director of Fleet and Transit Services, City of Brantford

“Introducing electric buses to Brantford’s Transit’s fleet is an important step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from City operations and advancing our climate action goals. By transitioning away from traditional diesel vehicles, we’re investing in cleaner transportation that will help improve local air quality and reduce our environmental impact while supporting a more sustainable future for our community.” – Sue Brocklebank, Climate Change Officer, City of Brantford

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Media Contact:

City of Brantford, Communications and Community Engagement
519-759-4150 | communications@brantford.ca