News release

The Town of Milton is excited to collaborate with Milton-based MTB Transit Solutions on Canada’s first conversion of a mid-life diesel bus to electric battery power.

The Milton Transit pilot project explores the innovative concept that diesel-to-electric conversion offers transit agencies a speedy, affordable path to electrification.

With transportation representing one quarter of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, the project supports Milton’s goals of sustainability and addressing climate change.

Through its new technology, ZEV Clean Power, MTB will work for six months to convert a conventional 12-metre Milton Transit bus to battery electric power.

The Town of Milton is exploring the transition to a zero-emission transit bus system, building on climate change and sustainability work to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The pilot will help Milton Transit explore this route to an electric bus fleet, by providing useful details on charging, maintenance, performance, cost, servicing and mitigating reliance on fossil fuels.

For riders, the electric bus will be more comfortable due to reduced noise and vibration; it will also eliminate any tailpipe emissions.

The bus is expected to hit the road in early 2024.

Background:

• Milton will be the first municipality in Canada to pilot mid-life, diesel-to-battery-electric conversion technology on a transit bus.
• Each Milton Transit bus averages about 72,000 km a year; this conversion will potentially save about 51,260 kg of diesel emissions over six years.
• MTB developed the ZEV Clean Power initiative with support from the National Research Council of Canada – Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), with research/development support from the Innovative Vehicle Institute (IVI) and participating Canadian post-secondary institutions.
• The Town is also doing a Milton Transit Battery Electric Bus Feasibility Study and Transition Plan. This will provide a road map for the implementation of electric buses and charging infrastructure.
• The project cost of $882,000 includes conversion and delivery of the vehicle, all vehicle components, charging infrastructure, warranty and training.
• The Town of Milton declared a Climate Emergency in 2019.

Learn more and find photos online.

Quotes

“Exploring transit electrification represents Milton’s focus on making our community more attractive and competitive. This exciting partnership will help us learn about ways to address climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.”

-Gord Krantz, Mayor, Town of Milton

“As we embrace sustainability, we want to make evidence-informed decisions that will yield results over the long term. This pilot will help us learn about diesel-to-electric bus conversion technology, and make the best decisions in our move toward an electric transit fleet.”

-Kristene Scott, Commissioner, Community Services

“The transit industry around the world is starting to shift from diesel propulsion to cleaner sources of energy. We are thrilled to work with the Town of Milton on this Canadian first, and to demonstrate how transit systems can reduce their greenhouse gases.”

-Gara Hay, President, MTB Transit Solutions

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Rob Faulkner
Senior Advisor, Public Relations
Email Communications Staff