METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Denver RTD Orders 17 Battery-Electric Xcelsior CHARGE NG Buses

The contract marks New Flyer’s first battery-electric bus order from RTD.

by Staff
February 11, 2022
Denver RTD Orders 17 Battery-Electric Xcelsior CHARGE NG Buses

New Flyer’s Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric buses provide up to 525kWh of power and 250 miles of range on a single charge

Photo: New Flyer

2 min to read


NFI Group Inc. (NFI) announced that its subsidiary New Flyer of America Inc. (New Flyer) has received a new contract from Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) for 17 battery-electric, zero-emission Xcelsior CHARGE NG forty-foot heavy-duty transit buses.

The contract marks New Flyer’s first battery-electric bus order from RTD.

Ad Loading...

RTD provides transportation in the Denver metro area, delivering nearly 33 million annual bus rides on 124 routes.

The order, supported by local and federal funds, helps RTD meet sustainability goals outlined in the Colorado Climate Action Plan to mitigate climate change impact through elimination of statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 26% by 2025, 50% by 2030, and 90% by 2050.

The new battery-electric buses also deliver on Colorado’s Electric Vehicles Plan, which mandates Colorado transit fleets to transition to 100% zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2050, with an interim goal of at least 1,000 ZEVs by 2030.

“Through a partnership spanning 25 years, NFI has delivered nearly 500 vehicles to RTD, including 235 New Flyer buses and 249 MCI coaches,” said Chris Stoddart, president, North American Bus and Coach. “Today, we expand sustainable mobility in the greater Denver area with the addition of zero-emission buses for RTD. Our Xcelsior CHARGE NG buses offer a quiet ride, clean air, longer range, and reduced operational and maintenance costs. Together with RTD, we are advancing climate action and building more sustainable communities in Colorado.”

More Zero Emissions

Rows of MTA's Long Island Railroad (LIRR) commuter rail cars.

New York Awards $4.5M for Zero-Emission Microtransit and Bike Access Projects

NYSERDA funding will support electric microtransit and secure bike storage to improve first- and last-mile connections across downstate New York.

Read More →
Cover photo for METROspectives with The Bus Coalition
Busby Alex RomanMarch 13, 2026

Inside The Bus Coalition’s Push for Stronger Federal Transit Investment

In this conversation, TBC’s Executive Director Ed Redfern, President Corey Aldridge, and Washington Representative Joel Rubin outline the coalition’s key policy priorities, the challenges facing transit agencies, and how industry stakeholders can work together to strengthen the voice of bus transit at the federal level.

Read More →
A SunLine clean air bus at a stop.
Zero Emissionsby Alex RomanMarch 10, 2026

U.S. Zero-Emission Bus Adoption Surpasses 8,000 Vehicles

CALSTART’s latest Zeroing in on ZEBs report shows continued nationwide growth despite supply-chain challenges. The group’s Deputy Director of Transit, Mike Hynes, talked to METRO about how agencies are adapting procurement strategies, fleet plans, and more.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An LA Metro clean air articulated bus
Zero EmissionsMarch 9, 2026

California’s Push Against Federal Headwinds to Reach 100% Zero-Emission Transit Goals

Even amid shifts in federal funding, California continues to advance its zero-emission agenda, enforcing and funding its regulatory framework despite federal obstacles.

Read More →
A Mountain Line bus
Zero Emissionsby Alex RomanMarch 4, 2026

BetterFleet’s Dan Hilson on the Mountain Line Contract and Intelligent Charge Management

Mountain Line selected BetterFleet’s charge-management and fleet-operations platform to support its nearly all-electric bus fleet and future electrification plans.

Read More →
A white Chesco Connect paratransit bus parked outside.
Zero Emissionsby Elora HaynesFebruary 9, 2026

Why Chester County Chose Propane To Power Its Demand-Response Transit Fleet

See how the county’s Chesco Connect system is replacing its buses with propane autogas to cut costs, reduce emissions, and support high-demand paratransit operations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
King County Metro electric buses made by GILLIG.
Busby StaffJanuary 30, 2026

Seattle's King County Metro Introduces New Battery-Electric Buses

Rolling out in electric yellow and seafoam blue, the first battery-electric buses purchased from GILLIG will begin serving riders in south King County on February 2.

Read More →
A black, white, and light purple graphic with an image of a BAE Systems hybrid electric bus and text reading "Re-Examining Hybrid Buses in Transit."
Zero Emissionsby Elora HaynesJanuary 19, 2026

Why Some Transit Agencies Are Re-Examining Hybrid Buses

As zero-emission goals advance, hybrid buses remain part of fleet strategies, offering reliability and operational flexibility.

Read More →
Zero Emissionsby StaffJanuary 14, 2026

California's VVTA Unveils Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses, Fueling Station, and Brand Refresh

The introduction of hydrogen fuel cell buses represents a significant step forward in reducing emissions while maintaining reliable, high-quality transit service.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Technologyby Staff and News ReportsDecember 24, 2025

Biz Briefs: Electric Paratransit Buses in San Francisco and More

Biz Briefs covers the latest supplier news in the motorcoach and public transit industries.

Read More →