Sarnia tests its first electric bus

Sarnia is piloting its first electric transit bus, a six-metre Karsan e-JEST operating on a Care-a-Van route, to gather data that will help guide 2026 fleet decisions.

Sarnia has begun testing its first electric transit bus as part of a pilot project to inform future fleet choices. The vehicle is a six-metre Karsan e-JEST that seats 10 passengers and includes space for a wheelchair. It is currently operating on a city Care-a-Van route while staff monitor performance and battery behavior during winter. The bus entered service after council approval and after operators, mechanics and emergency services completed training related to the new technology. Key details: - Vehicle: six-metre Karsan e-JEST with seating for 10 and space for a wheelchair. - Service: assigned to a Care-a-Van route while staff monitor performance, including winter battery reliability and range. - Approval and training: arrived several months ago after council approval in May and entered service following operator, mechanic and emergency services training. - Cost and equipment: purchase price was $577,000, with 80 per cent federally funded; the purchase included a portable charger that could be used for future electric buses. - Funding and fleet context: Sarnia received $4.9 million from the federal Rural Transit Solutions Fund in 2024 with about $4.4 million remaining, and the city has ordered five small gasoline buses for expected delivery in 2027. Summary: The trial is intended to provide data on battery reliability, range and maintenance needs that will inform how Sarnia allocates its transit budget for 2026. Federal funding remains available to support electric transit and a portable charger was included with the purchase. City decisions on broader fleet replacement and expansion are undetermined at this time.