Pilot project for all-electric double decker bus for cruise ship transportation in Victoria

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) is going to test a double decker electric bus for cruise ship passengers coming into the City of Victoria during the tourist season from April through September. GreenPower Motor Company is the private manufacturer of the bus, who will work with CVS Tour operators to run bus tours from the harbor and charging station at Ogden point to Butchart Gardens, as well as other potential inland destinations. The all-electric double decker bus that will be used for the pilot measures 45 feet in length, and can accommodate 90 seated passengers and up to 35 standing passengers, as well being fully wheelchair accessible. The bus also uses graphine batteries, which show promise as an effective and potentially safer alternative to more traditional Li ion batteries. The new vehicle will replace one of the diesel powered buses currently used by tour operators in the City of Victoria. During the pilot phase, it will travel between 120-220 kilometers per day but has the battery power to reach over 250 kilometres on a single charge. The bus will be in daily operation while cruise ships are in port, and will be leased by GVHA for up to three years with an option to purchase. As part of the pilot project, GVHA, GreenPower Motors, and CVS bus tours will track the cost of operations compared to conventional diesel buses, as well as emission reduction, fossil fuel use reduction, noise reduction and charging station requirements. The project is consistent with transportation goals in the City of Victoria’s Community Plan to reduce fossil fuel dependence, help conserve energy and lower greenhouse gas emissions and other air contaminants. It also supports their objective to rely on clean, renewable, diverse and efficient energy sources. After the completion of the pilot project, GVHA and CVS Tours will make a purchase decision on one to eight double decker electric vehicles for progressive deployment. As GVHA reports to several municipalities and Indian reserve bands, there is potential for scale-up not only within the city of Victoria, but also throughout BC and Canada as a whole. (Project description from original funding application)