BC Transit is launching 10 new electric buses that will travel routes across Greater Victoria.

These buses are anticipated to begin arriving in the Victoria Regional Transit System in early 2025, having come from the first batch on the production line.

The new electric buses will assist the province in meeting its targets to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40 per cent by 2030 and 60 per cent by 2040.

Over the next three to five years, BC Transit plans to add over 900 new buses to its fleet as part of a revamped aimed at lowering GHG emissions. Its strategy includes fleet optimization and the replacement of aging vehicles with new ones to support service expansion.

Currently, 125 heavy duty electric buses are on order with New Flyer and Nova Bus. 

In addition to aiming for a zero-emissions fleet, the company will continue to purchase a variety of buses, including a mixture of bus propulsion and lower carbon fuel types. These buses will provide BC Transit with a reliable fleet to meet the growing demand for transit in the communities it serves.

BC Transit also intends to buy approximately 105 heavy-duty hybrid buses to help more communities prepare for zero-emission vehicles by using less fuel and operating more silently on city streets with electric technology.

Both the federal and provincial governments committed $395.5 million in July 2023 to help BC Transit make the switch to zero-emission transit buses. The agency was given money for 141 electric buses, comprising 125 heavy-duty, 10 high-capacity (double-decker) and six light-duty vehicles.