The Canadian Electric School Bus Alliance (CESBA) recently released “Canada’s Electric School Bus Report Card where each province is graded on four factors: progress of fleet electrification, the existence of policy and regulatory goals, funding and incentives, and charging infrastructure development. Below, we can see where the Atlantic provinces stand , and you can add your name to NB Lung’s petition to electrify school bus fleets in Atlantic Canada here! 

NB

42%

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt has committed to electrifying 100% of the school bus fleet by 2035. Since she made that commitment, there are 6 new ESBs on the road in New Brunswick, bringing the total to 28 (of the 1,100-vehicle fleet). NB received a score of 42% from CESBA, gaining points for the commitment made, the numbers of chargers installed, and two points for 2% of the fleet that has been electrified.  

PEI

78%

Prince Edward Island is leading the transition in Atlantic Canada, and is noted as the leading ESB adopter in Canada on CESBA’s report card with over 100 buses purchased, making up about 2/3 of their total fleet. While they currently have a score of 78% on the report card, the PEI Government has slowed down in their commitment to electrify their fleet due in part to the delays and challenges with the supportive federal funding program.

Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador both received a grade of 0 in the report card as they currently have accomplished none of the requirements outlined in the scoring rubric.  

NS

0%

In Nova Scotia, there are no ESBs on the road. Instead of the school bus fleet being managed and purchased by the provincial government, each district manages their fleet and hires third party to run the school routes. While this is a unique challenge in Atlantic Canada, many provinces operate the same way, including British Columbia which is the province with the most electric school buses on the roads! 

NFLD

0%

Although Newfoundland and Labrador have not purchased any electric school buses, they contributed funds to be a part of the Atlantic Electric School Bus Feasibility Study, which was completed in early 2025.
This feasibility study outlines how many current routes in each province are suitable for ESBs, describes the charging infrastructure necessary, and plots a purchase plan to achieve a fully electric fleet within 10 years. The study predicts that anywhere from 49% to 79% of bus routes in Atlantic Canada can be electrified, depending on the charging infrastructure.  

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