Still no timeline for when Kamloops will get its first fully electric bus as BC Transit aims for a fully electric fleet by 2040.

President and CEO of BC Transit Erinn Pinkerton says when it comes to switching an entire 12 hundred bus fleet from traditional gas and diesel into electric, that’s ambitious, but she is confident we can get there. “Couple things underway that are going to allow us to manage the procurement and timing of how we do that. And what I mean by that is here in Kamloops we have 49 compressed natural gas vehicles. We have the ability, and we’re working closely with Fortis, to look at securing renewable natural gas which will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 85%.” Pinkerton says it has options in terms of the timing for how long it takes to get there. “If electric doesn’t become viable as quick as we want it, maybe we can look at some renewable natural gasses as temporary steps to make sure we get to the vision of achieving a low carbon, greenhouse gas commission free fleet.”

Pinkerton says there are 12 hundred buses provincially and in the last five years it has converted about 130 to compressed natural gas. About half of the fleet needs to be replaced in the next five years. “The next three years are going to look for more hours and more buses, and the question is, once we can confirm that the next buses we buy are working and we’re happy with them, could the next expansion bus in Kamloops be electric? Hopefully.”

Pinkerton says the technological changes that are occurring in the industry right now are larger than its ever experienced. It leaves BC Transit sort of learning as it goes.