The pilot will help determine whether electric buses can handle local winters and justify future transit spending.
Sarnia has begun testing its first electric transit bus as part of a pilot project that will help guide future fleet decisions.
The six-metre Karsan e-JEST bus seats 10 passengers and includes space for a wheelchair. It is currently operating on a city Care-a-Van route while staff monitor its performance.
The bus arrived several months ago following council approval in May. It entered service after operators, mechanics, and emergency services completed training related to the new technology.
City officials say the trial will inform how Sarnia allocates its transit budget for 2026, particularly as winter testing provides insight into battery reliability, range, and maintenance needs.
Sarnia received $4.9 million in federal funding through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund in 2024 to support electric transit, with approximately $4.4 million still available. Additional municipal and federal infrastructure funding has also been set aside for fleet replacement and expansion.
The electric bus cost $577,000, with 80 per cent funded federally. The purchase included a portable charger that could be used for future electric buses.
While testing electric options, the city has also ordered five small gasoline buses to support its aging fleet, with delivery expected in 2027.
Transit operations account for roughly 42 per cent of the city’s annual fuel use, making fleet decisions a key factor in Sarnia’s long-term transportation and climate planning.
