NFI Group Inc. (NFI) announced that its subsidiary New Flyer of America Inc. (New Flyer) received a new order from Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA).

The order placed is for 14 zero-emission, battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE NG 40-foot heavy-duty transit buses, purchased off the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services contract, according to NFI's news release.

NFI Infrastructure Solutions will provide project coordination and commissioning, 20 ABB HVC-C 150kW plug-in chargers, and 40 dispensers.

Supported by Federal Transit Administration funds, this order follows COTA’s previous purchase of eight battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE NG transit buses, announced in May 2022.

These new zero-emission, Buy America-compliant buses will support COTA’s goals of enhancing passenger experience and transitioning to a 100% zero-emission bus fleet by 2035 to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045.

COTA delivers nearly 19 million annual passenger trips. In 2020, the American Public Transportation Association awarded COTA its second Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award, recognizing COTA as the best transit organization of its size in North America.

“For over 20 years, COTA has relied on NFI’s efficient and safe mobility solutions. NFI has delivered over 186 transit buses to COTA since 2001. With this latest order of high-performance electric buses and infrastructure, we continue to enable COTA’s safe and successful transition to a net zero carbon future,” said Chris Stoddart, president of North American Bus and Coach at NFI. “Each Xcelsior CHARGE NG will avoid up to 135 metric tons of greenhouse gas per year compared to a traditional diesel bus, delivering substantial clean air benefits to Columbus communities. Together with COTA, we are building more sustainable communities in Ohio.”