The hum of diesel engines is about to get a little quieter in Greater Victoria.
Ten heavy-duty electric buses are being rolled out across the Victoria Regional Transit System, with the first of the new vehicles set to hit the road this week.
The launch comes six years after their initial announcement in July 2019.
Ryan Drake, deployment manager for BC Transit’s electrification program, said it’s a major step forward for the agency – and for passengers.
“These buses are really quiet – no engine noise – and the ride quality is really smooth,” Drake said. “The only sounds you’re going to hear are the farebox and the air compressors. Operators love them. Riders are going to love them.”
The electric buses will first run on some of the region’s busiest routes, including the 14 Vic General/UVic, 15 Esquimalt/UVic, 27 Gordon Head/Downtown, and 28 Majestic/Downtown.
The buses are designed to look and feel identical to existing models, with the same passenger layout, accessibility features, and capacity.
That consistency, Drake noted, was a deliberate choice.
“We kept the layout the same to support accessibility – especially for folks with sight impairments or who rely on routine,” he said. “The idea is to make the transition to electric as seamless as possible for our customers.”
Each of the new buses is powered by overnight plug-in chargers installed at the Victoria transit yard, taking four to six hours to fully charge.
That gives the vehicles a daily range of 300 to 400 kilometres. A high-speed overhead charger – known as a pantograph – has also been installed, allowing for rapid midday top-ups when needed.
The buses are expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions over time, with each one cutting the equivalent of a full tanker of diesel per year – or around 550 fill-ups for a mid-size car. They 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.
The 10 electric buses will collectively eliminate an estimated 12,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over their lifespan.
“These are replacing 10 diesel buses that are being redeployed elsewhere in the province,” Drake said. “It’s a direct one-to-one replacement.”
Each electric bus costs about $1.6 million to manufacture – roughly $600,000 more than a standard diesel bus – but BC Transit anticipates savings in fuelling and maintenance over time. The buses are built by Canadian companies Nova Bus and New Flyer.
The new fleet also comes equipped with passenger-facing upgrades, including USB charging ports and real-time vehicle tracking.
The project was made possible through a $28.6 million joint funding commitment from the federal and provincial governments, along with the Victoria Regional Transit Commission.
Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto, who serves as a BC Transit board member, said the investment puts the region on the right track.
“Electric buses are a smart investment for the future of the region," Alto said. "They align with Victoria’s climate goals by reducing emissions and improving air quality for everyone in our community. This is a meaningful step toward building a more sustainable, accessible and resilient transportation network.”
BC Transit has 125 electric buses on order, with plans to introduce around 80 more into Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Nelson, Powell River, Sunshine Coast and Whistler by the end of 2026.
“We’re just getting started,” Drake said. “There’s a long road ahead, but it’s electric now – and that’s something to be proud of.”
