2.1.4Grand River Transit to pilot zero emission vehicles, and implement a full zero emission vehicle strategy (full transition expected to be complete by 2040)

Transit is a much more energy efficient and lower carbon way to make trips. Nevertheless, as transit fleets expand to provide new services, transit must also convert to zero emission vehicles. ION light rail transit is already zero emissions, running on electricity. Grand River Transit will pilot zero emission buses beginning as early as 2022, and new bus purchases are expected to be zero emissions only beginning in 2025. As diesel buses are replaced at the end of their life, the entire fleet is expected to be converted by about 2040.

This action will be led by the Region of Waterloo. Please see below for the most recent publicly available updates.

REGION OF WATERLOO

The Grand River Transit (GRT) electric bus pilot informed the approved interim fleet decarbonization strategy, which considers all propulsion options through 2030 to manage capital and operating costs and address vehicle manufacturer volatility. This approach enables GRT to efficiently expand service and reduce passenger vehicle trip emissions, which account for 31% of total community emissions.

GRT remains committed to fleet decarbonization, with its upcoming bus order replacing aging diesel vehicles with hybrids to reduce emissions and maintain reliable service levels.