Peterborough’s next city council will be tasked with deciding whether battery-electric and hybrid buses should become part of the city’s transit fleet.
Council has approved an alternative fuel study for Peterborough Transit but deferred recommendations on introducing hybrid diesel-electric and battery-electric buses until the 2026-2030 council term.
The study, completed by Arcadis, examined battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell, natural gas, hybrid and conventional diesel buses to determine the most practical way to reduce transit emissions.
Battery-electric buses were identified as the preferred long-term alternative, with the study estimating an entirely electric fleet could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 46.2 per cent by 2050 compared with diesel.
However, the transition would come with operational and financial challenges.
The study found charging times needed to protect battery life could leave some buses unavailable for morning service. Peterborough Transit would require an estimated seven additional buses to maintain operations with an entirely battery-electric fleet.
Costs are also projected to be higher.
Maintaining the existing diesel-based fleet through 2050 is estimated to cost $307.07 million in capital and operating expenses. An entirely battery-electric fleet is projected at $324.82 million.
The study’s preferred combination of battery-electric and hybrid diesel-electric buses carries an estimated total cost of $321.75 million through 2050.
Among the recommendations deferred to the next council is using hybrid buses as an interim technology while battery and rapid-charging technology develops.
Future councillors will also consider a two-bus electric pilot for the 2030 capital budget, or after completion of the new Transit Garage, to gather real-world information about operating costs and vehicle performance.
Another recommendation calls for the future Monaghan Transit Garage to be designed to accommodate battery-electric buses, subject to available funding.
The study is intended to support Peterborough’s goal of reaching net-zero corporate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
