Winnipeg’s first all-electric transit bus is almost ready to hit the streets.
Last April, Red River College (RRC), in partnership with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, New Flyer Industries, and Manitoba Hydro, announced its plans to develop an all-electric transit bus and charging system. The system would be developed in the first year of the three-year project and tested in Manitoba for two years after.
With spring just a few months away, the system is almost ready for the testing phase.  CJOB recently interviewed Thomas Small, a mechanical engineer at New Flyer about the scope of the project, the progress so far, and some of the challenges involved.
“We’re developing something that will be the future,” said Small in the interview.
“I hope to see every city have this ability to be able to run electric busses.”
Full video of the interview can be seen below:

In addition to the $1 million it is contributing to the electric bus project, the Province of Manitoba is investing $100,000 into the creation of the Electric Vehicle Technology & Education Centre (EVTEC) at RRC. When complete, EVTEC will be a demonstration site for future all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle projects, such as the all-electric bus development.
For more information on the all-electric bus project and EVTEC, please visit the link below:
http://www.rrc.mb.ca/index.php?pid=5859&mid=10757&rid=1192