CUTRIC Releases ZEB Database Report #6, Canada's Zero Emissions Bus Landscape and Transitioning Readiness, Revealing Steady Progress in Zero Emissions Bus Adoption Amid Shifting Landscape

Data collected from 60 transit agencies shows steady progress in electrification: more agencies have moved from planning to procurement and commissioning.

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC), a nonprofit organization that spearheads, designs, and launches technology and commercialization projects that aim to make Canada a global leader in low-carbon smart mobility, today released the sixth edition of its Canadian ZEB Database™.

This latest edition highlights the state of zero emissions bus (ZEB) technology adoption as of July 2025, and highlights the challenges transit agencies and municipalities face in reducing emissions.

Key Findings:

• There is a marked 42% increase in battery electric buses (BEBs) now in-service in Canada, signaling that earlier-stage planning and procurement efforts are steadily translating into operational buses on Canadian streets.
  
• As of publication, 4,031 zero emissions buses are in transition nationwide. This is a 30% decrease across all stages of transition (from pronouncement to in-service deployment) from the previous publication. This reflects uncertainty in the market as a result of tariffs and inflation effects on the total value of government funding assigned.
  
• Quebec transit agencies lead in the number of battery electric buses across all stages of deployment (1,544), followed by transit agencies in Ontario (1,386), British Columbia (542), Alberta (326) and Nova Scotia (101).

“Canada is at a critical juncture in its transition to zero emissions public transit. Transit agencies across Canada have made significant progress, but the road ahead demands long-term commitment and collaboration,” said Dr. Josipa Petrunic, President & CEO, CUTRIC. “By addressing infrastructure challenges, advancing supply chains, and tapping into the value of innovative technologies, the future of a decarbonized future is well within reach. CUTRIC’s sixth edition of the Canadian ZEB Database emphasizes federal programs like the Canadian Public Transit Fund and financing from Canada Infrastructure Bank remain critical for advancing these complex projects going forward.”

Zero emissions transit vehicles play a critical role in Canada’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030. Transportation is still the second largest contributor at 22%, but shifting riders from cars to zero emissions buses can significantly reduce heavy-duty sector emissions and long-term climate benefits.

The Canadian ZEB Database™ Report provides insights to governments, transit agencies, and manufacturers to understand the current state of Canada’s zero emissions transit landscape and identify challenges and opportunities to support progress. For more information, and to read the report in full, visit: https://cutric-crituc.org/knowledge-series/cutbits-zeb-database-report-6/

CUTRIC Members can access the report freely via the Members Portal.

About the Canadian ZEB Database™

As part of CUTRIC's Knowledge Series publication program, the Canadian ZEB Database™ is a national database that monitors the Canadian Zero Emissions Bus (ZEB) landscape and quantifies the transition to full ZEB fleets. The report uses data from transit agencies, municipalities, crown corporations, private and public operators and the public domain to establish transit agencies' and municipalities' overall readiness and progress toward decarbonizing their fleets. It covers the number, types, stages, provinces and manufacturers of ZEBs deployed across Canada. The report also highlights transit agencies' issues and challenges in their decarbonization plans.

About CUTRIC

CUTRIC is a non-profit innovation consortium with a vision to make Canada a global leader in low-carbon smart mobility. Through industry-led collaborative research and large-scale technology integration trials, CUTRIC is working to achieve this goal by focusing on technology development, integration, and standardization of low-carbon propulsion systems and smart vehicle systems, data-driven analytics in mobility, and cybersecurity in transportation. CUTRIC is designated as the National Planning Service for the Government of Canada’s Zero Emission Transit Fund.