Electric transit buses may not be ready for prime time in Canada’s harsh climate, according to new findings from the National Research Council, which reveal that many vehicles need diesel heaters just to maintain performance during winter.
Blacklock's Reporter says the study, released four years after then-Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna announced a $2.8 billion plan to spend on zero-emission transit, questions whether electric buses can reliably replace diesel ones in daily Canadian operations.
At the time of the 2021 launch, McKenna had pitched the initiative as a win for the environment, economy and public health.
But subsequent trials across several cities — including Edmonton, Toronto, Winnipeg, and multiple Québec municipalities — found persistent challenges, particularly in cold weather.
“Winnipeg’s trial showed a diesel heater helps to limit electric buses’ performance losses to 20% or less,” the report noted. In extreme cold, electric bus batteries lost as much as 25% of their capacity, and snow increased energy usage by an additional 15%.
In Edmonton and Toronto, operators expressed concern over whether electric buses could meet daily route demands of 14 to 16 hours. While diesel buses typically travel 600 kilometres between refuels, electrics maxed out around 400 kilometres per charge.
“The long range electric buses currently on the market may not be able to replace diesel buses on a one-to-one ratio,” the report stated. It also warned that infrastructure needed for electric fleets — such as depot and on-demand charging stations—could carry steep costs.
The council concluded that uncertainty remains around battery range, especially in real-world operating conditions, and emphasized that electric bus technology is still evolving.
The report cautioned transit agencies to consider these limitations carefully before committing to large-scale fleet conversions.
