New Flyer Industries Canada ULC and New Flyer of America Inc., subsidiaries of NFI Group Inc., have joined the Charging Interface Initiative (CharIN e.V. or CharIN) as a core member. CharIN’s mission is to promote Combined Charging Systems (CCS) as the standard for all types of battery-electric vehicles.

New Flyer engineers actively participate in Society of Automotive Engineer (SAE) Task Force committees, making New Flyer one of the original entities to spearhead SAE heavy-duty charging standards to support interoperability and help reduce barriers to adopting zero-emission transit buses. CCS connectors supported by CharIN are based on SAE J1772 and SAE J3068 standards, now emerging as the preferred connector implementation for interoperable, high power charging of heavy duty transit vehicles in North America.

“When operators, manufacturers, and key stakeholders commit to common charging interfaces, it provides truly an opportunity to optimize electric bus solution for the long term,” said Jennifer McNeill, VP, marketing and sales, with New Flyer. “By joining CharIN, New Flyer builds on its commitment to support development of interoperable charging equipment across North America; contributing to more efficient and connected transportation. Our connected Smart Charging solutions based on CharIN’s objectives is an essential part of New Flyer’s Smart Cities and Smart Mobility focus.”

New Flyer’s Xcelsior CHARGE™ battery-electric buses utilize direct current (DC) plug-in chargers equipped with CCS Type 1 connectors. Chargers from New Flyer are fully capable of charging other makes and models of transit buses, commercial trucks, and cars.

New Flyer’s Vehicle Innovation Center (VIC) in Anniston, Ala., opened in October 2017, is the first and only facility of its kind in North America focused on advancing bus and coach technology through interactive learning and collaboration. The VIC offers the opportunity to participate in CCS charging demonstrations and innovation exhibits from Siemens, ABB, and ChargePoint.

As North America’s largest bus and motor coach manufacturer and parts distributor, New Flyer continues to work with industry leaders, transit authorities, policy makers, service providers, and other manufacturers in the development of charging standards across North America. In early 2018, New Flyer committed to supporting development of connected, efficient, and convenient transportation (Smart Mobility), in pursuit of supporting Smart City development, and subsequently became the first bus manufacturer in the world to sign on to the Shared Mobility Principles for Livable Cities.