In June 2021, City Council adopted a motion that endorsed electric buses. Piloting e-buses is the next step toward supporting Council’s initiative to reduce the City’s carbon emissions to net-zero by the year 2050. This also supports the City’s work to electrify its fleet.
In November 2022, funding for the electric bus project was announced through Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada’s Zero Emission Transit Fund ($1.65M). Along with City funding of $1.7M, this investment allowed Barrie to purchase two battery electric buses and the necessary charging infrastructure to support them.
Did you know? The City's Electrify Barrie Program includes electric vehicle infrastructure projects plus education and awareness initiatives.
Vehicle & Charger Details
The City purchased two chargers and two BEBs. The buses are battery-electric, zero-emission buses, made by a Canadian company (New Flyer), and the most advanced models on the market. Features:
- A 520kWh battery that is a world-class energy storage system and engineered for safe, robust, and reliable use in transit.
- Battery chargers designed and installed by PowerON, an Ontario Power Generation company.
- The bus range is up to approximately 408 km.
- Accessibility features include an automatic securement station, which allows the user to secure their wheelchair or scooter easily with the touch of a button.
The transit garage is equipped with a generator, which will allow us to continue operating the bus chargers in the event of a power outage.
Piloting the BEBs
Starting in summer 2025, two electric buses will service Barrie Transit routes. The City will collect important data in operating the buses in various scenarios and compare two different BEB configurations.
Due to the weather conditions in Barrie, the ability to compare technology and data around battery performance during winter operations will help the City understand the benefits and limitations of BEBs. Additionally, staff will compare the operational costs of electric versus diesel buses to determine any potential financial savings and impacts.
The pilot will run for 12 months from the time it begins to ensure we can gather as much data as possible to account for seasonal and operational variables. Staff will report the data collected to Council and the public.
Schedule
| Milestone | Timing |
|---|---|
| Charger delivery | November 2023 |
| Charger installation | February 2024 |
| Bus delivery | Early 2025 |
| Two electric buses begin servicing Barrie Transit routes | Summer 2025 |
