Oakville Transit unveils first zero-emission battery electric buses
Oakville celebrates the arrival of its first batch of zero-emission battery electric buses, marking a significant step towards its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and implement sustainable initiatives in public transit. Oakville Transit has announced that it has unveiled its first-ever zero-emission battery electric buses, as the town continues to implement environmentally friendly and sustainable initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. Oakville Transit’s first batch of battery electric specialised buses had arrived in January 2023. The electric vehicles will replace existing diesel-fuelled buses and will be how Oakville continues to expand its public transit fleet. Manufactured by Karsan, the 20-foot e-Jest model buses will be hitting the streets in spring 2023 and will be used to deliver transit services, such as care-A-van, Home to Hub and Ride On-Demand in north and southeast Oakville. In order to support battery charging for the electric buses, 10 charging stations have also been installed at Oakville Transit’s operations facility. The town is on track to acquire the first 15 zero-emission battery electric buses to be used for conventional services in early 2024. Over the next five years, it is planned that approximately 50% of Oakville Transit’s fleet will be conved from diesel to electric.