Public transportation has always been considered to be an environmentally friendly alternative to personal vehicle use, and things may be about to get a whole lot friendlier. The Winnipeg Transit System introduced a fully battery powered bus into its working fleet. It’s one of four vehicles built by New Flyer Industries (a Winnipeg based company) to utilize this newer technology. Sustainable Technology Development Canada contributed 3.4 million dollars to the pilot project, which had an overall cost of 7 million dollars. Each battery takes only ten minutes to charge at one of their high powered stations, and can run for approximately five hours. It also has the potential to prevent 160 fewer tons of GHGs from pollution in the atmosphere (in comparison to the traditional diesel vehicles). They estimate a yearly savings of $400,000 in fuel and maintenance costs. Transit Director Dave Wardrop hopes that if the trial proves successful, that full conversion of the fleet could be on the horizon. This is welcome news, as only two dozen electric battery powered buses are currently in use in all of North America. The reduction of GHG emissions should even a small percentage of communities opt for a cleaner alternative to diesel powered buses would be monumental.