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New electric bus rolls on Vancouver streets beginning May 15, 2017

New electric bus rolls on Vancouver streets beginning May 15, 2017

You read that right! On Monday, May 15, 2017, a three-month test of an electric battery-powered bus will begin!

The bus, provided by BYD Canada at no cost to TransLink, uses slow-charge technology to provide enough power to drive approximately 250 kilometres on a single charge!

This trial is just one of the environmentally friendly bus technology tests TransLink plans to launch as part of our commitment to helping the region meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals.

The bus will snuggle in for its nightly charge at the Vancouver Transit Centre where our electric trolley fleet is based.

During the trial, we will be able to test the bus on our system, take a look at its performance according to the bus operators and maintenance crews as well as the satisfaction of the customers in order to determine our next steps with this technology.

DID YOU KNOW??

Almost half of TransLink’s fleet of 1,386 buses is comprised of cleaner-technology buses including 262 electric trolleys, 116 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and 252 hybrid diesel buses.

BYD battery-electric bus fast facts!

  • Three hours charge time.
  • Battery designed to power bus for one-million kilometers before it needs replacing.
  • Highly efficient and powerful AC in-wheel hub motors provide instant torque to perform in all driving conditions.
  • Battery can also serve as a mobile generator.

Excited about this e-bus? We are too and we’re just getting started! TransLink is developing a Low-Carbon Fleet Strategy and we will be launching a second electric bus trial next year.

We’ll be sure to share all the details right here on the Buzzer blog.

WHERE CAN YOU CATCH THE BUS?

The BYD bus will be on various routes in Vancouver. On Monday, May 15th it will running on the #33 route. Other routes it may service over the next three months are the #25, #41 and #84. We’re going to try to get more specifics on the routes and will post that info right here on the blog.

Check out our Instagram story from today’s demonstration!

Read the media release about this bus trial here.

Author: Adrienne Coling

TransLink

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