Brantford Transit has added two battery electric buses to its fleet, marking the first time electric vehicles will be used in regular transit service in Brantford, Ontario. The buses arrived on September 10, 2026, and are expected to begin serving riders later this month.
The new 12-metre Canadian-made New Flyer XE40 buses carry the message “Zero Emissions. 100% Canadian.” They will operate on routes throughout the city and will expand the fleet rather than replace existing diesel vehicles, so riders will see more buses on the road.
City officials say each electric bus is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 90 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually compared to a conventional diesel bus. The move supports the City of Brantford’s Climate Change Action Plan and its goal to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The switch to electric comes with a higher upfront cost. Each electric bus cost just over $1.67 million, compared to about $942,000 for a diesel model. An additional $652,000 was invested in charging equipment and electrical upgrades at the Transit Services Centre, where the buses will be charged overnight.
Brantford Transit purchased the buses through Metrolinx’s Transit Procurement Initiative, a joint purchasing program that helps smaller Ontario transit agencies buy electric buses at lower costs.
A 2022 feasibility study indicated it would take 14 years to fully transition Brantford’s fleet of 31 diesel buses and 17 specialized vehicles to electric. Because electric buses have a shorter driving range than diesel, the city would need 39 conventional electric buses and 14 specialized electric buses to maintain current service levels.
The City of Brantford has posted more details on its website.
