Aerospace and Defense company BAE Systems has secured a significant contract to provide its Gen3 electric drive system to Nova Bus, a subsidiary of Volvo Group. The order encompasses an impressive 1,229 electric buses, making it the largest battery electric bus order in North America to date.
The electric buses, equipped with BAE Systems’ advanced drive units, will be utilized by the 10 transit authorities affiliated with the Association du Transport Urbain du Quebec (ATUQ). These transit authorities represent a staggering 99 percent of public transportation in major urban centers across the province of Quebec, Canada. Nova Bus, responsible for manufacturing the vehicles, plans to deliver them over a span of three years, starting in 2025.
This latest contract builds upon the success of the existing fleet of 1,800 electric buses in operation throughout Quebec. These buses currently employ BAE Systems’ HDS200 electric motor, which boasts a remarkable torque figure of 3,835 pound-feet (5,200 Newton-meters).
Featuring a modular battery architecture, the electric buses offer up to 594 kilowatt-hours of energy storage, ensuring extended travel capabilities. Additionally, the buses can be replenished with up to 150 kW of power via a CCS plug, and they also have the option for overhead charging, which can rapidly charge the battery pack at an impressive rate of up to 450 kW.
BAE Systems’ Gen3 drive system incorporates an electric motor and advanced power electronics that leverage cutting-edge technology, including silicon carbide, to enhance heat management and optimize vehicle performance.
The frames for this substantial order will be manufactured at the Saint-Francois-du-Lac facility, while the buses themselves will be assembled at the Saint-Eustache facility, both located in Quebec. The buses are based on the Nova Bus LFS platform and measure 40 feet (12.19 meters) in length, 8.5 feet (2.59 meters) in width, and 10 feet 8 inches (3.25 meters) in height. They offer seating for up to 41 passengers, with an additional 27 standing positions, as reported by Electrek.
Marc-Andre Varin, the general manager of ATUQ, expressed his satisfaction with the order, stating, “This order represents our collective commitment to improving air quality, meeting the provincial government’s ambitious targets, and contributing to Canada’s zero-emission future. BAE Systems has been with us from the beginning of our journey, starting with electric-hybrids and now the switch to all-electric buses. This is a big leap forward in our plans to provide sustainable transit service.”
Bob Lamanna, Vice President and General Manager of Power and Propulsion at BAE Systems, highlighted the company’s role in advancing fleet electrification, saying, “This order marks the next step toward full fleet electrification â delivering reliable, high-performance systems to help ATUQ’s members reach their environmental goals.”
BAE Systems, established in London, UK, in 1999, has positioned itself as a leading provider of electric propulsion systems. With over 16,000 buses worldwide utilizing their electric propulsion systems, the company continues to drive the transition towards sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions.
