Zenobē, a global fleet electrification and battery storage specialist headquartered in London, and the City of Brampton, Ontario, recently announced their leadership of a group of U.K. and Canada-based partners, including TD Securities Inc. and OEMs.

The group will launch an approximately $2.9 billion partnership to support the zero emissions transition of the Brampton Transit bus fleet.

This effort will mark the first phase of a 10-year electrification framework, serving Toronto’s largest suburb and supporting the transition to a zero-emission public transit system.

According to a company release, this initiative highlights the power of public and private partnerships and will bring approximately $725 million in foreign investment into Canada, further strengthening U.K.-Canadian business ties. 

“Canada is showing real leadership through this partnership,” Steven Meersman, co-founder and director of Zenobē, said. “What makes Brampton unique is its long-term vision and willingness to lean into innovation and collaboration. Electrifying an entire fleet is a cultural shift. We’re proud to help Brampton lead the way in zero-emission transit as a model for other communities.”

Brampton Rolls Out Zero Emission Transit Goals

Plus, using zero-emission buses (ZEB) in the Brampton project will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve local air quality, and decrease noise pollution.

According to a release from the city of Brampton, the program is expected to eliminate the majority of transit-related greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 70% of the city’s corporate GHG emissions.

The partnership intends to bring 1,000 electric buses to the roads and replace the city’s diesel vehicles. It will initially support current routes and ridership numbers of more than 40 million passengers annually. 

The first stage should be completed in 2027 with a third of the entire fleet electrified and two existing transit facilities upgraded.

According to a company statement, the framework expects that all three Brampton facilities and targeted on-route locations will be fully electrified to support the zero-emission fleet by 2030.

“This landmark partnership between Zenobē and the City of Brampton is a powerful example of how U.K.-Canada collaboration can deliver real-world solutions to global challenges,” Hon. Fouzia Younis, U.K.’s consul-general to Ontario, said.

Coordinated Effort Drives Brampton’s Shift to a Fully Electric Bus Fleet

Brampton will procure electric buses from Canadian suppliers, with planning and design, software, supply chain relationships, and capital markets expertise provided through the Zenobē team. 

The initiative also includes comprehensive technical experience and knowledge from the U.K. and dedicated electrical and civil engineering teams on the ground in Brampton.

However, transitioning a city’s bus fleet to electric while keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly can be complex. Still, Zenobē’s responsibility for infrastructure, financing, workforce training, and long-term operations and Brampton’s local leadership and vision are joining together to mitigate any transition risks.

Infrastructure must be upgraded or built without disrupting current service, and charging schedules, grid capacity, and vehicle range must be balanced. When paired with the right planning, this approach de-risks the transition and ensures value for riders and the greater community of stakeholders.

“This historic investment marks a turning point for Brampton and for public transit across Canada,” Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said. “By transitioning to a fully electric bus fleet, we’re not only reducing emissions — we’re creating jobs, improving air quality, and building a cleaner, healthier future for our residents.”