The House of Commons is considering the possibility of moving MPs around the Capitol in a more environmentally friendly way.
Members of Parliament, senators, and parliamentary staff have access to white shuttle buses for transportation within Parliament House in downtown Ottawa.
The House of Representatives is currently considering options to convert its fleet to battery-powered vehicles, according to documents posted last month on the federal government’s procurement website.
The House Transportation and Vehicle Administration has issued a Request for Information (RFI) notice to manufacturers asking about electric options available as replacements for 16-passenger passenger buses.
Matthew Gravel, a spokesman for the Speaker’s office, said the RFI was part of a “fleet review and renewal strategy.” He said the fleet has been reviewed in the past, but this is the first time electric vehicles are being considered as an option.
Although the RFI is not a formal call for bids, it could inform the competitive process if the House decides to purchase new buses.
Green Party leader Elizabeth May said shuttle buses were “perfect for electrification”.
“Many people have asked me over the years whether we need those little shuttle buses, and we do,” May told CBC News. “I have a very tight schedule and am basically in two places at once.
”[The shuttles] Ideal for electric. Since it has a short range, charges quickly, and is a small vehicle, we hope to be able to introduce it soon. ”
Last month, the federal government announced mandatory electric vehicle sales regulations that will require all cars, SUVs, crossovers and light trucks sold in Canada to be zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) by 2035.
Ottawa is trying to lead the effort to switch to greener vehicles. In the 2022 budget, the government allocated $2.2 million over five years to the Greening of the Government Fleet initiative. The program’s goal is to have all government “light duty” vehicles zero-emissions by 2030.
Gravel said the electrification of shuttle vehicles would be “independent of, but complementary to, the government’s green strategy”.
Prime Minister Theresa May said the government’s policy should have an impact on the electric vehicle market as a whole.
“The Canadian government’s switch to greener purchasing will resonate in the market and is beneficial for everyone,” she said.
