CANADA
Founded in 2016, Canadian manufacturer Letenda has unveiled its Electrip, which it describes as the first of ‘a new generation of zero-emission city buses designed entirely in Quebec.’ The low floor bus has been designed specifically for electric propulsion and for use in Canadian winter conditions. Entirely engineered in Quebec, the model brings together what the manufacturer says is the best of the latest sustainable technologies by leveraging the full potential of electric propulsion.
“We are proud to present today the result of six years of research and effort: the Electrip, an electrically powered city bus designed to withstand winter temperatures. This achievement was made possible with the help of an experienced team including world leaders in electric vehicle technologies and Quebec manufacturers to develop and market an innovative bus”, said Nicolas Letendre, President and CEO of Letenda.
“The Electrip is perfectly suited for transportation companies wishing to reduce their environmental impact and optimise their operations while moving towards sustainable mobility. Our product is complementary to the existing electric vehicle offer for public transit due to its size and innovative design.”
With a redesigned geometry which Letenda says will ensure unrivalled comfort and manoeuverability, the 9-metre leightweight Electrip is the first model in the Letenda range. The bus uses a modular structure made mainly of aluminum and inspired by the aeronautics industry. Depending on the configuration, its full low floor can accommodate up to 45 people, including 24 seated passengers and up to 6 wheelchairs. It has also been designed to facilitate the integration of the latest intelligent and autonomous vehicle technologies, and features rear-wheel steering for manoeuvrability.
“As we work to accelerate our green economic transformation, our government is proud to support companies like Letenda that are actively participating in building a clean growth economy, including by investing in sustainable public transit and carbon-neutral vehicles. This project is a great example of how, at the national level, innovation, ingenuity and collaboration can drive our economy and support a real transition to a greener, more sustainable future for all Canadians”, said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
“Increasing the number of electrically-powered transit buses on our roads is a clear objective of our government regarding the green economy. In fact, the road transportation sector alone accounts for nearly 35% of greenhouse gas emissions in Quebec. In order to reduce these emissions, one of the targets is that 55% of city buses should be electric by 2030. This is why I would like to congratulate Letenda for its magnificent initiative, which contributes to the vast project of electrifying transportation”, added François Bonnardel, Minister of Transport.
