More than half of Edmonton's $60-million electric bus fleet not roadworthy
Proterra, the American company the city purchased the electric buses from between 2019-2022, is in Chapter 11 filing for bankruptcy protection. Edmonton’s on a list of creditors, seeking $1.3 million
More than half of Edmonton's $60-million electric bus fleet not roadworthy
Proterra, the American company the city purchased the electric buses from between 2019-2022, is in Chapter 11 filing for bankruptcy protection. Edmonton’s on a list of creditors, seeking $1.3 million and fulfillment of service and warranties
Author of the article:
Published Nov 23, 2023 • Last updated Nov 23, 2023 • 4 minute read
Article content
A more than $60-million “transformational” effort to move to electric buses in Edmonton is stalled at the curb.
Just six per cent of the Edmonton Transit System’s 1,000-bus fleet are electric buses, but those are very squeaky wheels.
Article content
Three-quarters of the city’s 60-bus electric fleet is in the garage with poor immediate prospects for parts to fix them.
Proterra, the American company the city purchased the electric buses from between 2019-2022, is in Chapter 11 filing for bankruptcy protection. Edmonton’s on a list of creditors, seeking $1.3 million and fulfillment of service and warranties.
Advertisement 2
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Article content
ETS has traditionally been careful to keep parts supplied, said Steve Bradshaw, president and business agent for Amalgamated Transit Union Local 569, which represents workers in operations, maintenance and security at ETS.
During the pandemic, when other transit properties were floundering, ETS had spare parts to spare. But not with Proterra’s warehouses shut down.
“Parts are not available to properly run their buses … it’s very problematic,” Bradshaw said.
RECOMMENDED FROM EDITORIAL
Still touted online as “super-efficient” and “efficient financially,” the buses aren’t currently living up to expectations.
Even if a battery powering an electric motor means less maintenance for 20 years, “if you can’t keep that bus on the road for other parts around (the battery), then you can’t call that bus efficient,” Bradshaw said.
It takes a diesel-powered on-board heater to keep the body of the bus warm. And despite $200,000 in special blankets to keep all those batteries toasty, the Proterra buses are still feeling that northern Alberta chill in their skimpy range.