Battery-Electric Buses
Saskatoon Transit launched two new Nova LFSe+ battery-electric buses to its public transit fleet in July 2024. As the first battery-electric buses in Saskatchewan, these vehicles are an exciting step toward building a transit fleet that meets current and future ridership demands and our commitment to sustainability and environmental leadership.
Saskatoon Transit piloted a battery-electric bus in July 2020, which included a 12-month test period from fall 2020 to fall 2021, to evaluate the performance and feasibility of battery-electric buses in Saskatoon’s climate. This provided key data to inform future investments in battery-electric buses.
Building on the pilot project's success, City Council approved an initial investment in battery-electric buses in December 2021 as part of the broader $115.4 million revised 2023-2031 fleet renewal strategy.
Watch for a new battery-electric bus on routes across the city and experience the benefits.
The Electric decals on bus numbers 2410 and 2411 are easy to spot and ready to provide a greener, more efficient travel option.
To see if a battery-electric bus is on your route in the Transit app, tap the bus icon on the map and look for 2410 or 2411.
Nova LSFe+ Highlights
The Nova LFSe+ battery-electric buses are designed to provide a modern, sustainable, and comfortable transit experience for all passengers.
- Model: These 40’ battery-electric bus models are low-floor, long-range buses powered by a six-pack battery configuration.
- Passenger Capacity: Each bus can accommodate up to 59 passengers, including a seating capacity of up to 41 passengers
- Travel Range: The range of a bus can vary significantly due to various factors, including temperature, weather, topography, driving behaviour, number of passengers, and the battery's health. On average, the Nova LFSe+ can travel more than 300 km before requiring a recharge.
- Charging: Buses are charged at the Civic Operations Centre using an electric charging station when parked. The charging time for a bus is approximately 3 hours, depending on the type of charger used.
- Year-round Operation: To ensure reliable performance during winter, the buses are equipped with a hybrid-diesel auxiliary heater to prevent range reduction. Range may be reduced in extremely cold weather.
Benefits of Battery-Electric Buses
- Zero Emissions: A battery-electric bus operates using an electric powertrain powered by rechargeable batteries, producing close to zero greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to cleaner air quality and a healthier environment.
- Greenhouse Gas Reduction: Industry estimates suggest that one battery electric bus could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 60 tonnes annually.
- Fuel Savings: Industry estimates suggest that one battery electric bus could save approximately $40,000 annually in fuel costs.
- Lower Maintenance Costs: With no diesel drivetrain and regenerative braking, these buses may lead to lower maintenance costs over time.
- Quieter Rides: Enjoy a smoother and quieter transit experience, improving passenger comfort and reducing noise pollution across the city.
- Sustainable Travel: These buses represent a cleaner and more efficient way to travel around Saskatoon–offering a modern transit system that will help increase transit ridership.
Commitment to Sustainability
The integration of battery-electric buses into Saskatoon Transit's fleet aligns with the City’s targets outlined in the Low Emissions Community Plan and Climate Action Plan:
- Reducing emissions & electrifying the transit fleet: Achieving target emission reductions of 55,000 tonnes CO2e by 2050
- Increase transit routes and frequency: Shift 5% of personal vehicle trips to transit by 2030 and 10% by 2050
Ongoing Evaluation and Future Goals
Saskatoon Transit is working with the Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) as part of the implementation plan for a zero-emissions fleet. This study will include detailed information on specific GHG reductions and fuel savings and will be presented to the City Council in early 2025.
Saskatoon Transit's fleet renewal strategy is being reviewed regularly based on available annual funding, including funding opportunities from other orders of government, advancements in technology, manufacturing availability of the different types of buses, and performance of the battery-electric bus fleet.
Additional Information
What is a battery-electric bus?
A battery-electric bus is a type of bus that is powered entirely by electricity stored in on-board batteries, rather than traditional internal combustion engines that use fossil fuels.
How does a battery-electric bus work?
A battery-electric bus operates using an electric powertrain powered by rechargeable batteries. These batteries are charged using external power sources such as electric charging stations. Once charged, the bus can run on electric power, producing close to zero greenhouse gas emissions.
What is the lifespan of a battery-electric bus?
Saskatoon Transit anticipates that a battery-electric bus will have a lifespan similar to diesel bus, between 12-15 years and beyond.
Are these battery-electric buses adding to or replacing current buses?
These buses are to replace buses that have come to the end of their useful life.
About the Nova LFSe+ battery-electric buses
The Nova LFSe+ battery-electric buses are designed to provide a modern, sustainable, and comfortable transit experience for all passengers. The current buses in the Saskatoon Transit fleet are the 40-foot battery-electric bus model from Nova Bus. These buses are low-floor, long-range buses with a six-pack battery configuration that powers these models.
Nova Bus is a Canadian transit bus manufacturer headquartered in Saint-Eustache, Quebec. It is owned by the Volvo Group, with a long history of success in Canadian cities.
Pilot Project
Saskatoon Transit tested a battery-electric bus starting in July 2020, with a 12-month test period from fall 2020 to fall 2021.
The Green Municipal Fund (GMF), a fund financed by the Government of Canada and administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), funded 50% of the negotiated lease amount of $9,500/month. A Request for Proposal (RFP) was put out on Sask Tenders. BYD met all of the criteria in their response to the RFP and was the successful proponent for this pilot.
This pilot project aimed to evaluate the performance and feasibility of battery-electric buses in Saskatoon’s climate, providing key data to inform future investments in battery-electric buses.
Saskatoon Transit Battery Electric Bus Trial Performance Results