New Flyer Industries Inc. signaled its expansion in electric mass transportation, by showcasing the Xcelsior® XE40 electric bus it delivered to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (U.S. DOT) Earth Day Fair.

The Earth Day Fair is designed for U.S. DOT employees to learn about energy-efficient products that help improve air quality and the environment.

“New Flyer is honored to make its debut with WMATA at DOT Earth Day, especially as the zero- emission electric bus continues to gain popularity with transit authorities and their ridership,” said Joe Gibson, New Flyer VP, national sales. “We have unique strengths in this marketplace — the reliable Xcelsior is supported by the largest parts and 24/7 service support operation in North America. It’s important to have the right equipment as more of our customers move towards electric propulsion, but essential to offer an electric bus service and training infrastructure that never sleeps.”

Gibson led the tour of the electric bus in front of U.S. DOT headquarters in downtown Washington, D.C., noting that WMATA’s Xcelsior XE40 bus is equipped with New Flyer Connect®, an onboard telematics systems and support service that will allow real-time remote monitoring of the battery-electric vehicle for optimal management and operational efficiency.

New Flyer is the leader in zero and low-emission electric transit buses, having delivered over 6,400 buses with electric propulsion systems including electric-trolley, electric-hybrid, fuel cell- electric, and battery-electric buses in 35-, 40- and 60-foot configurations.

New Flyer’s Xcelsior XE40 battery-electric 40-foot bus accommodates 76 passengers (40 seated). WMATA is the second major metropolitan transit fleet in the U.S. to place New Flyer’s battery-electric bus in service.

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) also has New Flyer Xcelsior XE40 buses in daily operation, offering passengers a cleaner, quieter ride with significant fuel and maintenance savings.

Within the next two years, New Flyer expects to deliver battery-electric buses to Portland; Los Angeles; Salt Lake City; Boston; Alameda County, Calif.; and Albany, N.Y.