Nova Bus secures additional 120-electric-bus order from OC Transpo in Ottawa

OC Transpo has placed an additional order for 120 Nova Bus LFSe+ battery-electric buses, bringing its total orders for the model to 175 vehicles.

Nova Bus announced the new order on September 23 as part of the City of Ottawa’s transition to zero-emission public transport. The vehicles will be manufactured and assembled in Canada, with progressive deliveries scheduled to be completed by the third quarter of 2027.

According to Nova Bus, completion of the latest order will also bring the overall number of Nova Bus vehicles delivered to Ottawa to more than 400.

The Ottawa order adds to a series of Canadian LFSe+ contracts for Nova Bus, which ended production at its Plattsburgh facility and concentrated its North American manufacturing activities at Saint-Eustache and Saint-François-du-Lac in Québec. In 2023, the manufacturer secured a base order for 339 LFSe+ buses for Québec transit agencies, with a further 890 units included as options, while in 2025 it was awarded a contract for 80 LFSe+ buses for York Region, with deliveries starting in 2026. In June 2026, Montréal operator STM also received the first LFSe+ from its 147-unit order, with the remaining vehicles scheduled for delivery through 2028.

OC Transpo orders another 120 Nova Bus LFSe+ electric buses

The latest agreement covers 120 all-electric Nova LFSe+ buses and follows previous orders placed by OC Transpo with the Canadian manufacturer. With the new contract, the total number of electric buses ordered by the Ottawa operator from Nova Bus rises to 175 units.

Nova Bus has supplied vehicles to Ottawa since 2017. The company did not disclose the value of the latest contract in its announcement.

Production and assembly of the new buses will take place entirely in Canada, according to Nova Bus. Deliveries will be carried out progressively and are expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2027.

The manufacturer said the additional 120 buses will also expand the LFSe+ fleet operating in Canada. According to figures provided by Nova Bus, more than 500 of its electric buses will be in operation across the country following the addition of the Ottawa vehicles.

Nova LFSe+ electric buses for Ottawa operations

The LFSe+ combines Nova Bus’s LFS platform with a battery-electric propulsion system and is designed for operation in urban environments and winter conditions.

Alongside vehicle supply, Nova Bus said its work with OC Transpo covers workforce training, charging infrastructure optimization and technical support throughout the lifecycle of the buses.

In brief

• How many electric buses has OC Transpo ordered from Nova Bus?
  The additional 120-unit contract brings the total number ordered from Nova Bus to 175.
• Which electric bus model will be supplied?
  The order covers the Nova Bus LFSe+ battery-electric bus.
• When will the 120 buses be delivered?
  Progressive deliveries are scheduled to be completed by the third quarter of 2027.
• Where will the buses be manufactured?
  According to Nova Bus, the vehicles will be manufactured and assembled entirely in Canada.

Paul Le Houillier, President of Nova Bus, said: “We are extremely proud to continue this strategic partnership with OC Transpo and the City of Ottawa in their historic shift toward zero-emission mobility. The confirmation of these 120 Nova LFSe+ buses, manufactured and assembled entirely in Canada, reaffirms the reliability of our electric solutions and the quality of the support our teams provide on the ground. We thank OC Transpo for their renewed trust in our expertise and service infrastructure”.