Our next generation, zero-emission,
battery-electric bus.

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(XE Model)

Driving the new mobility era.

Xcelsior CHARGE NG™ is New Flyer’s next generation battery-electric, zero-emission bus. It is lighter, simpler, has longer range with better energy recovery and is smart city capable – making it the most advanced electric bus on the market.

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  • 32-61 Seats

    With 2 wheelchair locations

  • 160 kWh – 520 kWh

    Industry-leading range

Built to rely on.

Having surpassed 15 million service miles with its battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE® and fuel cell-electric Xcelsior CHARGE H2™ buses, New Flyer has leveraged the best of zero-emission design, performance, research, and ingenuity to develop its newest electric bus, Xcelsior CHARGE NG™.

New Flyer's Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric bus and ABB overhead charger
Reliable

Floorplans

  • 35′
  • 40′
  • 60′
  • Narrow A-pillars

    Narrow A-pillars increase visibility for the driver.
  • Electronic Instrument Panel

    Industry’s first electronic instrument panel with LCD display can be programmed for customer specific messages or graphics.
  • Recessed Overhead Control Panel

    Recessed overhead control panel provides access to the controls and instrumentation and gives the overall area a clean appearance.
  • LED Headlights

    Industry’s first LED headlights have better visibility, and can accommodate many of today’s bike racks with no interference.
  • SmartRider™ Ramp

    SmartRider™ provides unmatched accessibility and kneeling to variable heights with less than 10″ step height when fully kneeled. The SmartRider™ ramp can achieve a 1:6 slope ratio with a self-leveling feature and is rated up to 1000 lbs.
  • Aisle

    Distance between streetside and curbside wheel wells is 34″, providing a wider and more accessible pathway for people with disabilities.
  • Narrow Window Posts

    Narrow window posts (5″) and larger windows with low window line (42.5″ in height) for greater visibility.

  • Rear Step

    Angled rear step designed for natural ingress/egress of passengers.

  • Side Panels

    Fiberglass side panels are continuous, resulting in fewer exterior seams, better aesthetics, improved manufacturability, better protection against water intrusion, and less body movement which minimizes rattles or leaks as the vehicle ages.
  • Hinged Corner Pillars

    Hinged corner pillars for easy access to components and systems for regular maintenance.
  • Mirrors & Cameras

    Mirrors and camera screens enable the driver to see all the way to the rear of the bus and monitor the rear exit door from inside.
  • Narrow A-pillars

    Narrow A-pillars increase visibility for the driver.
  • Electronic Instrument Panel

    Industry’s first electronic instrument panel with LCD display can be programmed for customer specific messages or graphics.
  • Recessed Overhead Control Panel

    Recessed overhead control panel provides access to the controls and instrumentation and gives the overall area a clean appearance.
  • LED Headlights

    Industry’s first LED headlights have better visibility, and can accommodate many of today’s bike racks with no interference.
  • SmartRider™ Ramp

    SmartRider™ provides unmatched accessibility and kneeling to variable heights with less than 10″ step height when fully kneeled. The SmartRider™ ramp can achieve a 1:6 slope ratio with a self-leveling feature and is rated up to 1000 lbs.
  • Aisle

    Distance between streetside and curbside wheel wells is 34″, providing a wider and more accessible pathway for people with disabilities.
  • Narrow Window Posts

    Narrow window posts (5″) and larger windows with low window line (42.5″ in height) for greater visibility.

  • Rear Step

    Angled rear step designed for natural ingress/egress of passengers.

  • Side Panels

    Fiberglass side panels are continuous, resulting in fewer exterior seams, better aesthetics, improved manufacturability, better protection against water intrusion, and less body movement which minimizes rattles or leaks as the vehicle ages.
  • Hinged Corner Pillars

    Hinged corner pillars for easy access to components and systems for regular maintenance.
  • Mirrors & Cameras

    Mirrors and camera screens enable the driver to see all the way to the rear of the bus and monitor the rear exit door from inside.
  • Narrow A-pillars

    Narrow A-pillars increase visibility for the driver.
  • Electronic Instrument Panel

    Industry’s first electronic instrument panel with LCD display can be programmed for customer specific messages or graphics.
  • Recessed Overhead Control Panel

    Recessed overhead control panel provides access to the controls and instrumentation and gives the overall area a clean appearance.
  • LED Headlights

    Industry’s first LED headlights have better visibility, and can accommodate many of today’s bike racks with no interference.
  • SmartRider™ Ramp

    SmartRider™ provides unmatched accessibility and kneeling to variable heights with less than 10″ step height when fully kneeled. The SmartRider™ ramp can achieve a 1:6 slope ratio with a self-leveling feature and is rated up to 1000 lbs.
  • Aisle

    Distance between streetside and curbside wheel wells is 34″, providing a wider and more accessible pathway for people with disabilities.
  • Narrow Window Posts

    Narrow window posts (5″) and larger windows with low window line (42.5″ in height) for greater visibility.

  • Rear Step

    Angled rear step designed for natural ingress/egress of passengers.

  • Side Panels

    Fiberglass side panels are continuous, resulting in fewer exterior seams, better aesthetics, improved manufacturability, better protection against water intrusion, and less body movement which minimizes rattles or leaks as the vehicle ages.
  • Hinged Corner Pillars

    Hinged corner pillars for easy access to components and systems for regular maintenance.
  • Mirrors & Cameras

    Mirrors and camera screens enable the driver to see all the way to the rear of the bus and monitor the rear exit door from inside.

High-performance bus.

  • Next generation high-energy batteries extend range up to 13%.

  • Simpler

    Advanced protective battery packaging designed for easy install and streamlined maintenance.

  • Energy Recovery

    New lightweight electric traction drive system with up to 90% energy recovery.

  • A 40-foot electric bus can avoid up to 135 metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) annually, which is what a traditional 40-foot clean diesel bus would emit per year.

New high-performing technologies.

Xcelsior CHARGE NG™ incorporates three distinct and new high-performing technologies:

  • New battery packaging designed and developed by New Flyer
  • Next generation, high-energy batteries
  • Accelera™ by Cummins ELFA 3, a new innovative traction drive system

More efficient and streamlined battery enclosure.

  • How it works
  • Benefits
  • A standardized waterproof battery enclosure is mounted on the rooftop and in the propulsion compartment using a “plug and play” approach, lending simplicity and efficiency in design, install, maintenance and manufacturing.
  • Rooftop application is modular with a simplified mounting system comprised of two rails running the length of the bus.
  • The same standardized battery enclosure is also mounted in the propulsion compartment on a rack. With this approach, the same battery enclosure can be mounted in any position on the bus.
  • One simple and standardized approach provides better quality, consistency, and accuracy.
  • Casings are made from non-conductive reinforced composite; service technicians can simply and safely plug in or unplug the battery module with less exposure to high-voltage electricity.
  • It is lighter in weight, increasing the maximum passenger capacity on the bus by 4 additional standees.
  • It is 100% waterproof if submerged in water, greatly reducing the likelihood of water leaking into the battery enclosure.
  • Modules are better insulated resulting in better management of battery temperature for optimal performance.
  • Service parts are reduced by 90% going from 250 to less than 50 parts.

High-grade Accelera™ by Cummins ELFA 3 traction system.

  • How it works
  • Benefits

Accelera™ by Cummins ELFA 3 is next generation traction system that introduces a more efficient design with compact inverters and embedded drive controllers.

  • Minimal rack requiring no covers
  • It’s smaller and lighter allowing for increased passenger capacity.
  • It’s safer to maintain with  touch-safe high voltage connections.
  • Shorter cable runs makes it easier to maintain, and offers decreased risk of issues or faults, improved electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and greater power efficiency.
  • Delivers up to 90% energy recuperation.
  • Delivers smooth, quiet, emission-free driving (with no engine noise, no idling, and zero local emissions).
  • Better torque accuracy.

Next generation, high-energy batteries.

  • How it works
  • Benefits
  • The batteries are made of world-class energy storage systems (ESS), engineered for safe, robust, and reliable use in transit.
  • The battery chemistry is Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC), providing the best balance of energy, power, safety, and life.
  • 13% more energy available.
  • Range is extended by 13% without compromising quality.
  • Greater capture of regenerative energy during braking at top state of charge.

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Technology Explorer.

Take an interactive tour of the Xcelsior CHARGE NG™ bus system and features to learn how a battery-electric bus works.

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Electrical efficiency throughout.

All on-board sub-systems and accessories are electrically driven. AC power is supplied through a dedicated inverter for the air compressor, HVAC compressors, and energy storage cooling unit. The bus also has a high-capacity converter unit to supply 24-volt DC power for power steering, interior fans, lights, electric doors (optional) and other standard vehicle accessories.

Flexible Charging.

New Flyer buses are interoperable with charging equipment that supports all heavy-duty electric vehicles. You can customize your Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and charging solutions so you can develop the right ESS and infrastructure solution for your needs.

Charging options.

  • Plug-In Charging
  • On-Route Charging
  • Plug-in chargers are available as a supplement or alternative to on-route rapid chargers and can be used for overnight, mid-day and on-route charging.
  • Depot charging for a full charge requires 3.8 hours for a 520 kWh ESS.
  • The on-route rapid charger provides the means for the Xcelsior CHARGE NG™ to stay in service 24 hours daily.
  • To charge, the bus stops underneath the charger and the pantograph makes contact with the charge bars.
New Flyer's Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric bus and ABB overhead charger

Xcelsior CHARGE NG

Fully accessible, easy access level boarding from curb to aisle.

SmartRider™, available on all Xcelsior® models, provides an unmatched accessibility experience for all passengers – enabling buses to kneel to variable heights and minimize the slope difference between a low-floor ramp and bus floor. SmartRider™ ramp achieves a 1:6 slope ratio with a self-leveling feature that can withstand up to 1000lbs.

Learn More

 

Reduced operating costs.

New Flyer electrification technology lowers operational costs and reduces emissions: With no engine, transmission, intake or exhaust, customers can save up to $125,000 in maintenance costs over the 12-year life of the bus.

Quiet in operation.

With the absence of a traditional internal combustion engine and its related mechanical and exhaust noises, passengers will love the significantly quieter ride provided by the nearly silent electric traction motor.

Dual-sided Boarding Option.

New Flyer offers an optional three-door configuration that includes a street-side door for bus rapid transit (BRT) application. Available on all Xcelsior® 40-foot and 60-foot buses, the three-door bus design ensures faster, more flexible BRT platform boarding and enhanced passenger experience.

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Benefits of dual-sided doors:

  • A center median can become a platform with a single station for both directions
  • Curb lanes are freed up, making for an uninterrupted flow of vehicle traffic along the right-side curbs
  • Left-side doors bring new options for one-way streets or dedicated right-of-ways
  • New designs for BRT stations are now possible with faster boarding and de-boarding

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Exterior.

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Xcelsior Charge NG
New Flyer's Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric bus and ABB overhead charger
Xcelsior CHARGE NG
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Interior.

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Xcelsior-CHARGE-NG interior
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Quick measurements.
Length
Height
Front Step Height
Tire Size
Wheelbase
Seats*
Standees*
Wheelchair Location
Approach Angle
Departure Angle
Breakover Angle
35′
40′
60′
36’3″
41’0”
60’10”
11’1″
11’1″
11’1″
10″
10″
10″
305/70R22.5
305/70R22.5
305/70R22.5
226.75”
283.75”
229” front / 293” rear
35
44
62
2
2
2
9º
9º
9º
9º
9º
9º
12º
9º
12º (front) 9º (back)
Angles

*Passenger capacity shown reflects standard configuration. Capacity may change dependent on custom design and components used.

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Industry-leading range capability.

Length ESS(kWh) Maximum Range* (Miles)
35′ 345 170
35’ 435 211
40′ 345 178
40′ 435 221
40′ 520 258
60′ 520 152

* Range per FTA Altoona test protocol – HVAC.