METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Nova Bus Announces its Largest Order of Electric Buses in the U.S.

The METRO Board authorized the immediate purchase of 20 of those electric buses and this order will be its first electric bus purchase on a total fleet of 1,300.

by Staff
February 10, 2022
Nova Bus Announces its Largest Order of Electric Buses in the U.S.

The buses are expected to be in operation by the fourth quarter of 2022. 

Photo: Nova Bus

2 min to read


Nova Bus announced it has been awarded a contract for 20 LFSe+ in addition to 20 options, for a total of 40 electric buses, by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO).

The METRO Board authorized the immediate purchase of 20 of those electric buses and this order will be its first electric bus purchase on a total fleet of 1,300.

Ad Loading...

The buses are expected to be in operation by the fourth quarter of 2022. 

The buses will initially have routes that serve communities more affected by carbon emissions and ones that have been chosen by Houston Complete Communities.

"This is great news for New York and a big step forward for sustainable transportation," said Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. senator. "The purchase of forty of Nova Bus' LFSe+ zero-emission, long-range, electric buses, destined for Texas, and built in Plattsburgh, NY is a culmination of years of innovative design and great planning. Nova Bus' electric bus production is a critical pillar of the North Country's economy and is creating a greener future for transportation."

With an electric drive motor coupled with BAE Systems' next-generation power electronics focused on efficiency, these electric buses provide reduced maintenance costs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

"Nova Bus creates good-paying manufacturing jobs in the North Country and is an integral part of our regional economy," said Elise Stefanik, congresswoman. "This newly awarded transit contract is a testament to the skilled employees and hardworking operation at Nova Bus. I will continue to strongly advocate for job creation and North Country manufacturing in Congress." 

Ad Loading...

Nova Bus said it continues to invest in new technologies to provide the value and flexibility its customers and transit operators demand.

"Extraordinary news for Nova Bus to start the new year. We are thrilled to be working with METRO in their mission to have 100% zero-emission only bus procurement by 2030 in Houston. This LFSe+ contract is our most important so far in the U.S., and we are proud to continue our significant contribution in electrification of transportation in North Americaby introducing these zero-emission buses in Houston," said Martin Larose, president of Nova Bus.

CCW Completes Nation’s First 60-Foot Bus Rehab to Battery Electric

More Zero Emissions

A Caltrain electric railcar on the tracks
Rail•by Alex Roman•October 27, 2026

Caltrain’s Electrification Drives a New Era of Ridership Growth

The railroad’s shift to electric service has brought more frequent trains, stronger customer satisfaction, and increased ridership, earning it APTA’s Outstanding Public Transportation System award.

Read More →
Zero Emissions•October 12, 2026

Building a Flexible Path to Transit Electrification with BAE's John Hroncich

John Hroncich discusses BAE Systems’ modular and scalable approach, lessons learned from decades of real-world operations, and how agencies can identify electrification strategies that fit their fleets.

Read More →
A shot of ENC's manufacturing facility
Zero Emissions•by Alex Roman•September 30, 2026

LA Metro Board Awards 220 Battery-Electric Bus Contract to ENC

The contract, which is the largest base award of battery-electric buses by a U.S. transit agency, will be built in Southern California, sustaining good jobs as LA prepares to welcome the world in 2028

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Help Shape the 2027 Public Transit Conference
Management•by Alex Roman•September 29, 2026

Public Transit Conference Returning to GFX in 2027, Call for Papers Now Open

The Call for Papers is now open, allowing transit agency professionals and industry experts to help shape the PTC educational program by submitting session ideas for consideration.

Read More →
A WMATA bus at a transit center
Bus•by Alex Roman•September 21, 2026

Report: Transit Bus Manufacturing Supports 34,100 Jobs, $5.1B in GDP

The “Buses Mean Business” report examines the transit bus manufacturing industry’s economic footprint, supply chain, and rising demand for vehicle replacements.

Read More →
 A bus that's powering the Beer Garden Stage and also serving as a Cooling & Charging Station for festival attendees.
Zero Emissions•by Elora Haynes•September 14, 2026

Ohio’s METRO RTA Turns Electric Buses into Mobile Power Sources at PorchROKR

See how three Gillig battery-electric buses powered festival stages while the agency’s new Park & Ride service carried approximately 1,000 attendees, demonstrating another potential use for transit agencies’ electric fleets.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Catalyst Mobility: Building Clean Transportation Together
Zero Emissions•by Alex Roman•September 14, 2026

CALSTART and Forth Combine to Form Catalyst Mobility

The new name represents a renewed vision for the nonprofit focused on advancing clean, equitable, and affordable transportation solutions that move people and goods.

Read More →
How BAE Systems Electrifies Transit Fleets
Zero Emissions•by Alex Roman•September 10, 2026

Building a Flexible Path to Transit Electrification

John Hroncich discusses BAE Systems’ modular and scalable approach, lessons learned from decades of real-world operations, and how agencies can identify electrification strategies that fit their fleets.

Read More →
A VVTA hydrogen fuel cell electric bus
Zero Emissions•by Staff and News Reports•September 1, 2026

California's VVTA Begins Phased Rollout of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses

The agency is introducing 13 zero-emission buses into revenue service while evaluating performance across its urban, rural, and long-distance routes.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A photo of UB's battery-electric bus event
Zero Emissions•by Alex Roman•September 1, 2026

Inside Look: University at Buffalo Puts First 8 Electric Buses Into Stampede Service

UB, transportation solutions provider WeDriveU, and fleet electrification specialist Zenobē marked the deployment in the presence of students, university administrators, and local officials.

Read More →