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
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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™.

Floorplans
- 35′
- 40′
- 60′
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Narrow A-pillars
Narrow A-pillars increase visibility for the driver.
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Electronic Instrument Panel
Industry’s first electronic instrument panel with LCD display can be programmed for customer specific messages or graphics.
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Recessed Overhead Control Panel
Recessed overhead control panel provides access to the controls and instrumentation and gives the overall area a clean appearance.
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LED Headlights
Industry’s first LED headlights have better visibility, and can accommodate many of today’s bike racks with no interference.
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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.
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Aisle
Distance between streetside and curbside wheel wells is 34″, providing a wider and more accessible pathway for people with disabilities.
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Narrow Window Posts
Narrow window posts (5″) and larger windows with low window line (42.5″ in height) for greater visibility.
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Rear Step
Angled rear step designed for natural ingress/egress of passengers.
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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.
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Hinged Corner Pillars
Hinged corner pillars for easy access to components and systems for regular maintenance.
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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.
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Next generation high-energy batteries extend range up to 13%.
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Simpler
Advanced protective battery packaging designed for easy install and streamlined maintenance.
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Energy Recovery
New lightweight electric traction drive system with up to 90% energy recovery.
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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
- Siemens new innovative traction drive system, called “ELFA 3”

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 Siemens traction system.
- How it works
- Benefits
The ELFA 3 is Siemens’ next generation traction system 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.

Electrical efficiency throughout.
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.



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.
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.
Videos.
- Xcelsior CHARGE NG™
- Electric Buses 101
- Do’s and Don’ts of Designing an Electric Bus
- Xcelsior CHARGE™ | Interoperable Charging Solutions
Exterior.




Interior.



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

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 |