NFI announces order for 6 EV buses from UC Davis
by CM Staff
NFI is currently an active supplier on over 20 U.S. state contracts and has received more than 600 vehicle awards from state contracts since 2018.
WINNIPEG — NFI Group Inc., an independent bus and coach manufacturer and a company involved in electric mass mobility solutions, announced that Unitrans – the University of California, Davis transit system – has purchased six Xcelsior CHARGE™ battery-electric, heavy-duty transit buses from NFI subsidiary New Flyer of America Inc. UC Davis utilized the California Department of General Services contract for the procurement.
NFI’s New Flyer was selected by DGS as an approved supplier of electric vehicles in 2019. The DGS contract simplifies potential future bus procurement for California local government agencies for up to five years.
State contracts have been growing as a procurement channel for U.S. transit agencies due to their ability to streamline processes. NFI is currently an active supplier on over 20 U.S. state contracts and has received more than 600 vehicle awards from state contracts since 2018.
The purchase is supported by Federal Transit Administration funds and begins conversion of the current Unitrans fleet, comprised of compressed natural gas buses, to zero-emission as existing vehicles reach end of life. Full electrification of the fleet – anticipated for completion in the early 2030’s – is a joint venture between the campus and city, both focused on sustainability and mitigation of climate change.
“This new award highlights that the transition to battery- and fuel cell-electric vehicles is taking place across California’ cities and campuses, and NFI is playing a leadership role in the evolution to zero-emission mobility,” said Paul Soubry, President and Chief Executive Officer, NFI. “We applaud Unitrans’ use of a state contract, as it enables agencies to expedite vehicle procurements, which will result in greater accessibility and lower emissions. We are excited to continue growing our business in California, the U.S. and around the world by offering our customers the widest range of electric vehicles and turnkey mobility solutions.”
“Having delivered 37 low-emission CNG buses to Unitrans since 2009, we now turn our focus to advancing UC Davis toward cleaner, more sustainable, and climate-friendly mobility,” said Chris Stoddart, President, North America Bus and Coach, NFI. “Over 50 years of engineering electric buses has enabled continual innovation of our zero-emission technology, and, today, our Xcelsior CHARGE buses are meeting the increasing demand for sustainable transportation. Together with Unitrans, we are creating healthier, quieter, more livable communities while mitigating climate change head on.”
NFI subsidiary Alexander Dennis Limited has also supported Unitrans’ evolution to zero-emission, with four low-emission ADL Enviro500 forty-foot double deck buses delivered between 2010 and 2017.
