As fuel prices and environmental concerns reach an all-time high, automakers are striving to launch more efficient vehicles and technologies, including hybrids and electric cars. Transit companies are no different, as evidenced by the plug-in electric bus prototype that Nova Bus unveiled yesterday.
More importantly, it was entirely designed and produced in Quebec!
''The government of Quebec is developing a strategy to drive the manufacturing industry and we believe that one of the ways to succeed is to bank on clean energies,'' said Élaine Zakaïb, Minister for Industrial Policy and the Economic Development Bank of Quebec, who attended the launch.
The Nova Bus electric bus prototype offers a range of 120 kilometres with a full charge of four hours – numbers that could improve as the project evolves. And thanks to the flexibility of the electric drive system, passenger room is maximized.
The goal of Consortium Bus électrique – Projet 1, which involves Nova Bus along with several key partners such as TM4, Bathium, Précicad, René Matériaux composites, and Giro, is to put a demo vehicle on the streets as early as 2014.
Structures CPI, Infodev, and Styl&Tech, which are part of Consortium Bus Électrique – Projet 2, are currently working on an electric microbus entirely made of aluminum for suburban transit and touring.
In order to carry out these two projects, hundreds of employees from more than 35 companies across the province will participate.
Nova Bus is confident of delivering a 100% domestic, 100% electric mobility solution for Quebec's transit agencies in the short term.
DesignLine, based in the U.S., launched its own electric bus in 2007; however, it has yet to be certified by Transport Canada. Still, vehicles like these are one more step in the right direction.
Sources: Nova Bus
More importantly, it was entirely designed and produced in Quebec!
''The government of Quebec is developing a strategy to drive the manufacturing industry and we believe that one of the ways to succeed is to bank on clean energies,'' said Élaine Zakaïb, Minister for Industrial Policy and the Economic Development Bank of Quebec, who attended the launch.
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| Photo: Nova Bus |
The Nova Bus electric bus prototype offers a range of 120 kilometres with a full charge of four hours – numbers that could improve as the project evolves. And thanks to the flexibility of the electric drive system, passenger room is maximized.
The goal of Consortium Bus électrique – Projet 1, which involves Nova Bus along with several key partners such as TM4, Bathium, Précicad, René Matériaux composites, and Giro, is to put a demo vehicle on the streets as early as 2014.
 |
| Photo: Nova Bus |
Structures CPI, Infodev, and Styl&Tech, which are part of Consortium Bus Électrique – Projet 2, are currently working on an electric microbus entirely made of aluminum for suburban transit and touring.
In order to carry out these two projects, hundreds of employees from more than 35 companies across the province will participate.
Nova Bus is confident of delivering a 100% domestic, 100% electric mobility solution for Quebec's transit agencies in the short term.
DesignLine, based in the U.S., launched its own electric bus in 2007; however, it has yet to be certified by Transport Canada. Still, vehicles like these are one more step in the right direction.
Sources: Nova Bus