Nova Buses with BAE e-powertrains for Vancouver

The first Nova Bus models with BAE electric powertrains will be deployed in Canada this year.

Fifteen Nova Bus 15 LFSe+ public transit buses in Vancouver, Canada, will be fitted with BAE Systems’ all-electric propulsion system, making it the first fleet in North America to utilize BAE’s next-generation Series-EV zero-emissions technology.

The Series-EV drivetrain eliminates the need for traditional combustion engines through the use of electric motors, controls, and batteries, creating a clean and efficient mode of transportation, BAE said. The latest version of BAE Systems’ technology uses fewer, lighter, and more compact components. Its lightweight, reduced number of connections, and use of advanced materials make it easy to install and extremely efficient, enabling the buses to travel longer distances on a single charge, the company said.

The battery-electric buses are engineered to travel between 211 to 292 miles (340 to 470 km) on a single charge.

“The deployment of clean transportation in our cities is critical to reach a zero-emission future,” said Steve Trichka, vice president and general manager of Power & Propulsion Solutions at BAE Systems. “Our Series-EV system will help Vancouver take a major step towards full electrification of its bus fleet, and will help to improve air quality throughout the city.”

BAE Systems’ Series-EV system builds on more than 25 years of technology that the company said is in service on more than 13,000 transit buses throughout Europe, including cities such as London and Paris, and the rest of the world.

BAE Systems develops and services its technology at its facilities in Endicott, New York, and Rochester, U.K.