Electric Shuttle Bus Pilot Project
Project status – July 2024
We’ve installed 14 electric bus charging stations inside our Springs Gardens garage. Unfortunately, it’s taking longer than we anticipated to get zero-emission battery electric shuttle buses we need for our pilot. We’re committed to completing the pilot and are reviewing options to get vehicles as soon as possible.
About the project
Calgary Transit is moving to a fleet of zero-emission buses to support The City’s corporate-emission reduction goals in the Calgary Climate Strategy- Pathways to 2050. Our fleet transition includes a project to deploy several 40-foot battery electric buses (BEBs). To prepare for BEB operations, we’re pursuing an electric shuttle bus pilot project to put battery electric buses on the road.
Project benefits
The pilot provides an opportunity for us to get familiar with BEB technology while validating the operational, economic, and environmental benefits of using BEBs in our system. The pilot supports The City’s Green Fleet Strategy to evaluate and incorporate fully electric, electric hybrid, and other low carbon vehicle technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Project funding
Estimated total project costs are $14 million, with $7 million provided by the Government of Alberta’s Emissions Reduction Alberta grant program.
Project timeline
- Procure, and install charging equipment: Q2 2023
- Source alternate battery electric shuttles: Q4 2024
- Battery electric shuttles go into service: Under review pending vehicle sourcing
Project video
Emissions Reduction Alberta created this video about our project. Calgary Transit’s Sharon Fleming discusses the project’s purpose and how it supports The City’s push toward low-carbon vehicle technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
FAQs
What battery electric shuttles are you using for your pilot project?
We haven’t determined which battery electric shuttle buses we’ll use. We’re reviewing options to get vehicles for the pilot as soon as possible.
What infrastructure have you installed for the pilot? Where is it located?
We’ve installed 14 electric bus charging stations inside our Springs Gardens garage, which stores and dispatches our existing shuttle fleet and has capacity to accommodate 14 battery electric shuttles. The charging stations enable us to simultaneously charge 14 battery electric shuttles.
The chargers deliver fast charging and need only about two hours to fully charge shuttles. Special charge management system software enables us to monitor battery status while the shuttle is on route and when it’s charging inside our garage.
The charging cabinets and dispensers were supplied by ABB, a leading global technology company. Engineering firm Burns & McDonnell supplied, designed and installed the charging equipment.
Our Spring Gardens garage (located at 928 32 Avenue N.E.), opened in 1975 and expanded in 2015, includes body, machine, and heavy-duty mechanical shops as well as an administration office.