NFI Group (NFI has confirmed a firm order for 100 zero-emission, battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE NG 60-foot, heavy-duty transit buses (200 equivalent units) to its subsidiary New Flyer of America from Miami-Dade Transit (MDT), operated by Miami-Dade County Transportation and Public Works.
The order also includes two on-route Heliox 450 kW chargers and 50 Heliox Flex 180 kW depot power cabinets by NFI Infrastructure Solutions to support zero-emission bus (ZEB) deployment in Miami County. These buses were added to NFI’s backlog in the first quarter of 2023.
With the ZEB order, MDT will not only get closer to achieving its Resilient305 Strategy, which aims to reduce emissions, shorten travel times and minimize traffic congestion, but will also deliver on the Miami-Dade County Climate Action Strategy, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and to become a net-zero carbon community by 2050.
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The buses have high-density batteries, advanced protective battery packaging for easy installation and simpler serviceability, and a new lightweight electric traction drive system with up to 90 percent energy recovery. Equipped with 763 kWh batteries, the buses will be provide an additional range to deliver increased efficiency and reliability to the MDT fleet.
The buses will be designed with four doors to ensure easy access for passengers on station platforms to allow level boarding from both sides of the bus. Sixty of the total buses will operate on the 20-mile South Dade TransitWay BRT corridor, while the remaining 40 buses will serve passengers on other bus routes across Miami-Dade County.
“Since 1995, we have delivered over 1,460 buses to MDT, and now we continue this partnership by enabling the agency's transition to zero-emission mobility and supporting its vision of creating a more resilient future through our long-range EVs and infrastructure,” said Chris Stoddart, President, North American Bus and Coach, NFI. “Xcelsior CHARGE NG is the most advanced EV on the market, thanks to its streamlined design reducing maintenance, high-performance capabilities, and significant clean air benefits.”
NFI supplies mobility solutions to North American cities with buses and coaches, technology, infrastructure, and workforce development. NFI also operates the Vehicle Innovation Center (VIC), an innovation lab dedicated to advancing bus and coach technology and providing workforce development.
The bus manufacturer has signed orders for battery-electrics and/or fuel-cell vehicles from transit authorities in Central Ohio, San Mateo County, Calif.; Denver; Winnipeg, New York and Southeastern Pennsylvania.
