Renewable Energy Insights | Week of Sep 21 - Oct 2, 2026

Electric transportation continues to expand across public transit, passenger vehicles, and school transportation. This week’s developments highlight Ottawa’s growing zero-emission bus fleet, new real-world data on electric vehicle efficiency and charging performance, and Bonita Unified School District’s investment in electric school buses and charging infrastructure.

1. Ottawa Expands Zero-Emission Transit With 120 Additional Electric Buses

Nova Bus has formalized an additional order for 120 all-electric Nova LFSe+ buses from OC Transpo as part of the City of Ottawa’s transition toward sustainable, zero-emission mobility. The new order brings the total number of electric buses ordered from Nova Bus by OC Transpo to 175.

The buses will be manufactured and assembled entirely in Canada. Progressive deliveries are expected to continue through the third quarter of 2027. Once these vehicles are delivered, Nova Bus will have supplied more than 400 buses to Ottawa since its relationship with OC Transpo began in 2017.

The Nova LFSe+ is designed for demanding winter and urban operating conditions and combines the established LFS platform with electric propulsion technology. Nova Bus is also supporting OC Transpo through workforce training, charging infrastructure optimization, and technical assistance throughout the vehicles’ lifecycle.

The addition of the 120 buses will also expand the number of Nova LFSe+ electric buses operating in Canada, bringing the total number of electric buses in operation in the country to more than 500.

2. CAA EV Circuit Highlights Efficiency and Charging Differences Across Electric Vehicles

The 2026 CAA EV Circuit tested 22 electric vehicles on the same 230-kilometre route from Blue Mountain, Ontario, to Vaughan, Ontario. Every participating vehicle completed the route without needing to recharge, including the vehicle with the shortest advertised range. On average, the vehicles used only 40 per cent of their battery charge during the trip.

The results suggest that considerations such as energy efficiency, charging performance, charging location, and charging cost are becoming increasingly important alongside total driving range.

The participating EVs used the energy equivalent of approximately two litres of gasoline per 100 kilometres. By comparison, the average Canadian passenger vehicle consumes roughly eight to 10 litres of gasoline per 100 kilometres. Energy consumption among the EVs ranged from 11.43 kilowatt-hours to 28.91 kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometres, reflecting differences in vehicle size, weight, and design.

The vehicles tested in September 2026 also consumed approximately 40 per cent less energy on average than the vehicles tested during CAA’s February 2025 EV Winter Test. Because the two tests involved different vehicles and operating conditions, the comparison is not direct, but the results demonstrate how temperature can significantly affect EV efficiency.

Following the road circuit, each vehicle completed a standardized 15-minute charging session. The vehicles added an average of 110 kilometres of displayed driving range, and almost two-thirds added at least 100 kilometres. Individual results ranged from 58 kilometres to 178 kilometres of added displayed range.

Charging performance can vary depending on the vehicle, charger, battery temperature, battery state of charge, and conditions during charging. The September 2026 vehicles added approximately 15 per cent more displayed range during the charging session than the vehicles evaluated in CAA’s 2025 winter test.

3. California School District Expands Electric School Bus Fleet and Charging Infrastructure

Bonita Unified School District officially introduced its electric school bus fleet and new Level 2 EV charging stations at its District Yard on September 17.

The District’s transportation fleet currently includes seven electric school buses supported by six Level 2 charging stations. Bonita Unified plans to add another six electric school buses and one additional charging station in the coming months. Once completed, the expansion will bring the fleet to 13 electric school buses supported by seven charging stations.

The new equipment has been supported by two grant programs. An Southern California Edison Charge Ready grant helped fund the purchase of the school buses, while a CalSTART/Zesbi grant was used to acquire the EV charging stations. The Zesbi grant is also expected to fund six additional electric school buses.

The investment represents an expansion of both electric transportation capacity and the charging infrastructure required to support the District’s transition away from diesel and gasoline-powered school transportation.

Looking Ahead

These developments demonstrate how electric transportation is progressing across several areas of mobility. Large transit agencies are increasing zero-emission bus deployments, EV performance data is shifting attention toward efficiency and charging characteristics, and school districts are investing in both electric fleets and the infrastructure required to operate them. Continued expansion of vehicle availability, charging networks, workforce capabilities, and funding support will remain important as electric transportation adoption grows.

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References

1. GlobeNewswire – Nova Bus to Supply 120 Additional Electric Buses to OC Transpo for the Ottawa Region
   https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/09/23/3367814/0/en/nova-bus-to-supply-120-additional-electric-buses-to-oc-transpo-for-the-ottawa-region.html

2. CAA – 2026 CAA EV Circuit: EVs Go the Distance, but Charging Efficiency and Costs Vary
   https://www.caa.ca/news/2026-caa-ev-circuit-evs-go-the-distance-but-charging-efficiency-and-costs-vary/

3. California School News – Bonita Unified Holds Ribbon-Cutting for Electric Bus Fleet, All-New EV Charging Stations
   https://caschoolnews.net/articles/bonita-unified-holds-ribbon-cutting-for-electric-bus-fleet-all-new-ev-charging-stations/