An electric bus like this will be used in the bus trial. Photograph By CONTRIBUTED
TransLink is bringing four fast-charging electric-battery buses to Metro Vancouver starting in 2019, as part of a two-and-a-half year trial that looks at different ways to reduce carbon emissions while still being efficient. The trial will operate on Route 100, which travels along Marine Drive through Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster, with high-powered charging stations that bring buses up to full charge in four to seven minutes at each end of the route.
Kevin Desmond, the CEO of TransLink, said the trial will help transition the TransLink fleet to using a more environmentally-friendly fleet.
“Mass transit has always scored high as a sustainable way to move large numbers of people, but many transit vehicles still use carbon-based fuels,” he said in a release. “With this fast-charge, battery-electric trial, TransLink is getting the on-the-ground experience we need to develop our Low Carbon Fleet Strategy and transition towards a zero-emission fleet.”
During the trial, TransLink will collect data on the compatibility of buses and charging stations, bus performance, maintenance and customer experience.
TransLink’s fleet currently includes 262 electric trolleys, 145 compressed natural gas and 255 hybrid diesel buses.
