Canada invests in e-buses and infrastructure
Between 2021 and 2026, the Canadian government wants to invest a total of 2.75 billion dollars (around 1.8 billion euros) in the promotion of all-electric buses, including school buses and their charging infrastructure. The measure is part of a public transport funding offensive.
The new funding pot for electric buses was presented by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Communities in collaboration with the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Industry. The $2.5 billion will be available to municipalities, transit agencies and school boards starting this year. The Canadian government has said that this will support the government’s commitment to subsidise the purchase of 5,000 zero-emission buses over the next five years. The programme is part of an eight-year, $14.9 billion investment plan recently unveiled by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for public transit.
The government’s new funding pot is coordinated with an existing programme from the Canada Infrastructure Bank, which is investing $1.5 billion in zero-emission buses and related infrastructure as part of a three-year growth plan. To date, the bank’s funding programmes have supported the purchase of more than 300 zero-emission buses.
The Canadian government wants to use this funding to kill several birds with one stone, namely create jobs, boost economic growth, ensure a cleaner environment and to connect communities. Several electric bus manufacturers are active in the country, such as Nova Bus in Saint-Eustache, Lion Electrique in Saint-Jérôme, GreenPower in Vancouver and New Flyer in Winnipeg.
“Today’s announcement is important in making Canada a leader in zero-emission vehicle transportation,” says François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “The Government is committed to ensuring that Canadian businesses have the tools, support and conditions to become world leaders in a growing economic sector. With this investment, the government is helping these Canadian manufacturers address a growing need here at home to successfully pivot to new, greener products.”
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