Vicinity Motor Corp. (TSX-V:VMC) said it has received an order worth over C$3 million from transportation solutions provider TOK Group for six Vicinity Lightning electric buses.
The buses will be used to support a cleaner, greener, quieter shuttle bus service provided by Nieuport Aviation between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Union Station in Toronto. Delivery of the buses is scheduled for the first quarter of 2023, Vicinity Motor said.
"The downtown Toronto shuttle service is an excellent opportunity for the Vicinity Lightning EV buses, due to its right-size, versatility, AODA compliance, accessibility, and comfortable ride - powered by an all-electric propulsion system designed with maximum efficiency in mind," William Trainer, founder and CEO of Vicinity Motor said in a statement.
"We look forward to working with the team at the Nieuport Aviation and TOK Group to put these six buses into service, helping to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly service for Toronto's downtown and waterfront communities."
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Nieuport Aviation and TOK Group explored a number of opportunities to find the right bus model to replace the existing six diesel shuttle buses. After conducting comprehensive market scans and interviews, the Vicinity Lightning Bus was selected.
"Each year, hundreds of thousands of people use the shuttle bus service Nieuport Aviation provides to access the city from the Toronto City Airport. It is a vital connector for travelers and staff alike," noted Neil Pakey, president and CEO of Nieuport Aviation.
"As Nieuport sets out its stall to play a leading role in Canadian aviation achieving net zero carbon emission targets, we are thrilled to bring a cleaner, greener, quieter transportation solution to our city. This is a significant step forward in our goal of delivering a brighter and more sustainable future for our airport terminal and neighboring communities."
Ajay Mehra, CEO at TOK Group, added: "Vicinity's highly compelling Lightning EV product makes them an ideal partner as we seek to diversify our fleets, do our part in the fight against global warming, and reduce the need and dependency on non-renewable energy while also reducing operating costs."
Meanwhile, Gene Cabral, the executive vice president of Billy Bishop Airport owner and operator PortsToronto, said the company has focused on making the airport among the cleanest, greenest and quietest in the world.
"This has included significant investments in infrastructure, including Canada's first all-electric ferry and the Ground Run-up Enclosure to reduce noise. We are also encouraging airport partners to contribute to this effort and applaud Nieuport Aviation for making this significant and meaningful investment in introducing electric buses to reduce air and noise emissions for the benefit of passengers and the surrounding community," Cabral said.
Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com