BAE Systems announced that the ten transit authorities members of the Association du Transport Urbain du Qubec (ATUQ) have ordered up to 1,229 battery-electric buses using BAE Systems' Gen3 electric drive system, allowing them to run emission-free. BAE Systems will provide its electric drive systems to Nova Bus for integration on the buses. The battery-electric bus order is the largest to date in North America and builds on the 1,800 buses in the province already powered by BAE Systems' technology.

ATUQ represents public transportation organizations that serve the major urban centers in the province of Qubec: Montral, Laval, Longueuil and the greater metropolitan area, as well as Qubec City, Lvis, Gatineau, Trois-Rivires, Saguenay and Sherbrooke. Together, they provide 99% of the public transportation trips in the province. Gen3, BAE Systems' latest electric drive system, features an electric motor and advanced power electronics to produce a clean mode of transportation for buses.

The system uses innovative technology, such as silicon carbide to improve heat management, lightweight components, and increased electrical efficiency for enhanced vehicle performance. Using a flexible design, the reduced number of connections create a compact system and allow the buses to travel longer distances on a single charge.