NFI Group, a leading independent bus and coach manufacturer, announced that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has awarded NFI subsidiary New Flyer a contract for up to 460 next-generation Xcelsior CHARGE NG 40-foot battery-electric transit buses (BEBs).
The contract includes a firm order for 80 vehicles, including 48 buses with New Flyer’s standard two-door configuration and 32 units with an additional streetside door for dual-side boarding, plus options for an additional 380 units.
The purchase will be supported by funds awarded through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Low or No Emission (Low-No) grant program.
This contract was added to New Flyer’s backlog in Q4 2023.
The new three-door design option for 40-foot units is one of New Flyer’s latest technical advancements, ensuring faster, more flexible platform boarding and enhanced passenger experience.
“The Xcelsior CHARGE NGincorporates the latest innovations of our battery-electric bus technology, which leads to a more efficient vehicle with longer range and better serviceability,” says Chris Stoddart, President, North American Bus and Coach, NFI.
“The use of our proven Xcelsior platform will also make it easier for the MBTA to integrate these new vehicles into their fleet, due to the high commonality in training, parts, and service operations for the different propulsion options across the Xcelsior product family,” he adds.
New Flyer’s Xcelsior CHARGE NG bus incorporates three distinct technology advancements: high-energy batteries, advanced protective battery packaging for easy installation and simpler serviceability, and a lightweight electric traction drive system with up to 90 percent energy recovery.
NFI is a leader in zero-emission mobility, with electric vehicles operating (or on order) in more than 150 cities in six countries.
The firm offers the widest range of zero-emission battery and fuel cell-electric buses and coaches, and its vehicles have completed over 150 million EV service miles.
Today, NFI supports growing North American cities with scalable, clean, and sustainable mobility solutions through its mobility solution ecosystem, which includes buses and coaches; infrastructure; parts and service; technology; workforce development and training; and vehicle financing.
NFI also operates the Vehicle Innovation Center (VIC), the first and only innovation lab of its kind dedicated to advancing bus and coach technology and providing workforce development.
Since opening in late 2017, the VIC has hosted over 350 interactive events, welcoming 7,000 industry professionals for EV and infrastructure training.
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