Electric Bus Conversion
The Town of Milton is working with Milton-based MTB Transit Solutions on a pilot project to convert a mid-life diesel bus to electric battery power. This project explores a new approach to fleet electrification and supports the Town’s broader commitment to reducing emissions and modernizing transit services.
As part of Milton’s long-term transit and sustainability planning, this initiative provides an opportunity to test innovative technology in a real-world environment.
The pilot project examines whether converting existing diesel buses to electric power is a practical and cost-effective option for Milton Transit. It focuses on understanding how this approach could complement future fleet electrification efforts.
The project will provide insights into vehicle performance, maintenance requirements, charging needs, and overall lifecycle costs. These findings will help inform future decisions about transit fleet investments.
This project focuses on:
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Exploring an alternative pathway to fleet electrification
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Evaluating performance and reliability of converted buses
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Assessing operational and maintenance requirements
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Identifying potential cost savings and efficiencies
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Supporting the Town’s climate and sustainability goals
The pilot explores how diesel-to-electric conversion can offer transit agencies a faster and more affordable way to reduce emissions. Through this project, the Town will evaluate key operational factors such as charging, maintenance, performance, and service reliability. These insights will help determine whether this approach is viable as part of a broader transition to an electric fleet.
Transportation accounts for a significant share of greenhouse gas emissions. By testing alternative electrification methods, the Town is taking steps to reduce its environmental impact and support long-term climate goals.
The conversion project is expected to provide environmental and customer experience benefits.
For riders, electric buses offer a quieter and smoother ride due to reduced noise and vibration. The conversion will also eliminate tailpipe emissions, contributing to improved air quality.
From an environmental perspective, each Milton Transit bus travels approximately 72,000 km per year. Over time, converting buses to electric power has the potential to significantly reduce diesel emissions and support the Town’s sustainability targets.
This project is currently being implemented as a pilot initiative. Findings from the pilot will be used to assess feasibility and guide future fleet electrification planning.
This project supports a cleaner and more sustainable transit system for Milton residents. In the short term, riders may begin to see and experience electric buses in service. Over time, insights from this pilot could lead to broader adoption of electric vehicles, improving air quality and enhancing the transit experience.