Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and PowerON Energy Solutions, alongside Toronto Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie, recently unveiled 10 newly commissioned, battery-electric bus (eBus) charging pantographs. The charging systems are part of a proof of concept at Birchmount Garage, expanding the TTC's charging capacity.
The new pantographs will support overhead charging, delivering electricity from a centralized power source to chargers mounted above eBus's. This innovative transit charging system is the first phase of a 20-year agreement between the TTC and Ontario Power Generation subsidiary, PowerON Energy Solutions.
"We're grateful for the continued support of our partners at the city of Toronto and PowerON," said TTC Chair Jon Burnside. "The TTC operates one of the largest fleets of battery-electric buses in North America, and we look forward to continuing to expand and improve our eBus program as we work towards a completely green fleet by 2040."
Under the agreement, PowerON designs, builds, co-invests in, owns and operates charging infrastructure to electrify the TTC's bus fleet and facilities.
"PowerON provides innovative charging solutions so municipalities and others can green their fleets," said PowerON Managing Director Keegan Tully. "The Birchmount Garage system sets the stage for broader transit electrification in Toronto and beyond."
"We're very excited about this new charging infrastructure, as the overhead chargers are more compact and will allow us to charge more eBuses faster, in more locations," said TTC CEO Rick Leary. "With additional hybrid-electric buses joining our existing fleet over the next few months and the eBuses that will follow, we are bringing more environmentally friendly and quieter vehicles to even more routes across the city."
This Birchmount proof of concept is funded by the city of Toronto, who have contributed over five million dollars to the project. The TTC will use the system to gather and evaluate reliability and operations data prior to broader deployment.
The TTC will transition its bus fleet to 100 percent zero emissions by 2040 or sooner.
