BC Transit's $20M deal for electric buses cancelled after supplier's bankruptcy
A U.S. court ruling has pulled the plug on BC Transit's plans to introduce electric buses to its fleet in the B.C. capital region.
The provincial transit operator had ordered 10 buses from U.S.-based zero-emission vehicle manufacturer Proterra in May 2022, in a deal worth $20 million.
The electric buses were scheduled to roll out across the Greater Victoria region that fall, as BC Transit embarked on a plan to have a fully electric fleet provincewide by 2040.
However, the plan hit a roadblock last summer when Proterra filed for bankruptcy protection and the company's transit assets were bought by California-based Phoenix Motorcars.
BC Transit has since been in negotiations with Phoenix about fulfilling its order for the electric buses. But a Delaware bankruptcy court decision Tuesday found Phoenix has no contractual obligation to supply the vehicles to BC Transit, according to the transit operator.
"As a result, BC Transit will not receive its first 10 electric buses from Phoenix," the transit company said in a release Wednesday.
BC Transit says it will continue to work towards its 2040 electrification goal despite the setback.
"For the past several months, BC Transit has been working behind the scenes to ensure the electrification program moves forward," the transit operator said in the release.
BC Transit has sought to prequalify more vendors of electric buses and charging equipment to meet the first phase of its electrification program, the company said.
"In the meantime, we continue to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by using renewable fuels while we transition to electric buses," the release said.
Last spring, the transit provider started construction on 10 electric bus chargers at the Victoria Transit Centre, anticipating the arrival of the now-cancelled buses. The company says the charging equipment is now "ready to support electric buses from other suppliers" once new contracts are in place.
BC Transit is not out any money after the cancellation of the $20-million deal, "as is consistent with the payment milestones of the contract," the company said in a statement to CTV News.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
BREAKING Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street