The Crittenden Automotive Library

City Introduces Electric Buses to Edmonton

City Introduces Electric Buses to Edmonton

BYD
June 12, 2014

Edmonton, Canada: Edmonton Transit System (ETS) added some stealth to its fleet. It began testing two electric buses – known as ETS Stealth buses – this week. The buses run quietly and cleanly and are more cost-effective to fuel and maintain than diesel engine buses currently used. Operated entirely on electricity, ETS Stealth buses have no exhaust pipes and generate zero emissions when being driven.

“We are very excited to be introducing electric bus technology to Edmonton streets,” said Councillor Andrew Knack. “The City of Edmonton is committed to finding the best combination of transportation technologies to enhance Edmonton’s sustainability, and we’re eager to see how well the ETS Stealth bus delivers ETS service across the city.”

The ETS Stealth buses will run on various ETS routes across the city, travelling with regularly scheduled buses in service and for special events. Passengers can board free of charge. Instead of paying a fare, passengers will be asked to complete a survey describing their experience riding an electric bus. “Public feedback is essential to determining the success of the ETS Stealth pilot project,” said ETS Bus Operations Divisional Supervisor Linda Kadatz (video link) . “We hope to hear from every ETS Stealth passenger so that we can make an informed decision later this year about pursuing electric bus technology in our long-term fleet replacement plans.”

The ETS Stealth buses are on lease from BYD Company Ltd. (Build Your Dreams) until October 2014. During the four-month pilot ETS will evaluate the suitability of the ETS Stealth bus based on several factors, including passenger load capacity, passenger comfort, reliability and how well the buses navigate Edmonton’s roadway network. For more information, please visit edmonton.ca/future-transit.

About Edmonton Transit System

Edmonton Transit System, also called ETS, is the public transit service owned and operated by the city of Edmonton, Alberta. ETS provides service for buses and light-rail transit vehicles within Edmonton City limits, in addition to Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove, and the Edmonton Garrison at Namao. It also provides connections to suburban transit services operated by the City of St. Albert and Strathcona County. ETS also provide service to Leduc. ETS operates an entire fleet of accessible ~960 low floor buses, which have been progressively introduced into the system since 1993. These include the 40-foot buses and 60-foot articulated models. ETS uses the timed-transfer system, where suburban feeder routes run to a transit centre, and passengers can then transfer to a base route to the city centre or the university. During peak hours, some feeder routes provide direct express service to and from the city centre. For more information, please visit edmonton.ca/future-transit.

About BYD

BYD Company Ltd. is one of China’s largest companies and has successfully expanded globally. Specializing in battery technologies, their green mission to “solve the whole problem” has made them industry pioneers and leaders in several High-tech sectors including High-efficiency Automobiles, Electrified Public Transportation, Environmentally-Friendly Energy Storage, Affordable Solar Power and Information Technology and Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) services.

As the world’s largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, their mission to create safer and more environmentally friendly battery technologies has led to the development of the BYD Iron Phosphate (or "Fe") Battery. This fire-safe, completely recyclable and incredibly long-cycle technology has become the core of their clean energy platform that has expanded into automobiles, buses, trucks, utility vehicles and energy storage facilities. BYD and all of their shareholders, including the great American Investor Warren Buffett, see these environmentally and economically forward products as the way of the future.

BYD has made a strong entrance to the North, Central and South American markets with their battery electric buses, and lineup of automobiles. Their mission lies not just in sales growth, but also in sociological integration and local job creation as they have poured incredible investments into developing offices, dealerships and manufacturing facilities in the local communities they now call home, truly a first for Chinese companies. For more information, please visit www.byd.com