New Flyer to deliver up to 1,420 electric buses to New York City

The North American bus manufacturer New Flyer has announced a major order from New York City, which includes the delivery of up to 1,420 electric buses over the next five years. It will build 12 and 18-metre buses for the Big Apple.

Specifically, the New York City Transit Authority (NYCT) has contractually agreed to purchase up to 2,090 buses from New Flyer within five years, including up to 1,420 electric buses. According to the bus manufacturer, which is part of the NFI Group, NYCT has already placed a firm order for 205 Xcelsior Charge NG electric buses under this framework agreement.

The five-year framework agreement for electric buses is divided into 12 and 18-metre vehicles. Accordingly, 187 battery-electric Xcelsior Charge NG 40-foot solo buses (12 metres) have been ordered with the option of 943 further units. In addition, NYCT placed a firm order for 18 Xcelsior Charge NG 60-foot articulated buses (18 metres) with the option of 272 more.

NYCT is part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the largest transport authority in North America, with an annual ridership of around 425 million. The MTA has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 85 per cent between the base year 2015 and 2040. The purchase of electric buses contributes to this goal. The purchase of New Flyer’s BEV vehicles outlined above is subsidised by the US Federal Transit Administration’s “Low or No Emission” funding programme.

Incidentally, the cooperation between New Flyer and NYCT goes back a long way. The company reports that, since 1996, more than 4,500 buses have been supplied to NYCT. “The Xcelsior CHARGE NG integrates our latest battery-electric technology to deliver longer range and easier serviceability in addition to its environmental benefits,” emphasises Chris Stoddart, President of North American Bus and Coach at NFI.

New Flyer states on its website that its Xcelsior Charge NG battery-electric buses offer a range of up to 258 miles (12-metre version) and 152 miles (18-metre version) in the maximum battery configuration with 520 kWh. That is the equivalent of around 415 and 245 kilometres, respectively. The model, of which there is also a 10.6-metre (“35-foot”) variant, was launched in 2021.

“Our continued innovation and advancement, especially in the field of battery-electric buses, enables New Flyer to play a leading and integral role in helping NYCT as they update their fleet,” says Stoddart. In addition to New Flyer, NFI brings together brands including MCI, Alexander Dennis Limited, Plaxton and Arboc. New Flyer, which specialises in public service buses, claims to have delivered 1,900 zero-emission buses to date.

newflyer.com