40 electric buses coming to Montreal, Laval public transit networks

A total of 40 electric, slow-charging buses are expected to hit Laval and Montrealroads by2020.

The buses fall under a $43.2 million contract that was awarded to Winnipeg-based company New Flyer Industries Canada, which will begin manufacturing the buses this coming spring.

"To date, this is the largest firm order for electric buses in Canada," a joint statement from the two municipal public transport agencies says.

Thirty of the 12-metre buses that were ordered will go to Montreal, and 10 to Laval, the statement says.

The provincial and federal governments provided a grant of over $9.6 million for Laval buses. On the Montreal side, 85 per cent of the funding will come from the province.

The Socit de transport de Laval (STL), which already has one electric bus in circulation, aims to purchase only electric buses by 2023.

The Socit de transport de Montral (STM) currently has three electric buses in its fleet and aims to purchase only electric buses by 2025.

Slow-chargingelectric vehiclestypicallytake sixto eight hours to chargewhereas quick charging is done enroute, taking three to five minutes each time. Slow-charged batteries allow for considerablylonger drive time than those that are quick charged.