New Flyer Xcelsior Hybrid and CHARGE NG Buses Ordered by Washington Metro in 100-Unit Deal

On February 10, New Flyer of America Inc., a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., confirmed that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has placed an order for 100 forty-foot buses under its New Flyer Xcelsior platform. The order includes 75 Xcelsior hybrid-electric buses and 25 Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric transit buses, marking another step in Metro’s transition toward cleaner public transportation solutions.
The procurement will be financed through a combination of federal, state, and local funding sources, along with awards from the Federal Transit Administration Low or No Emission grant program. These low emission transit buses will replace aging vehicles in the WMATA bus fleet, improving reliability, passenger comfort, and operational efficiency across the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.

New Flyer Xcelsior Expands Washington Metro’s Clean Fleet Strategy

The latest New Flyer Xcelsior order builds on a previously announced base contract signed in February 2025, which covered 100 hybrid-electric buses over five years. With this follow-up purchase, Metro continues scaling both hybrid transit bus and battery-electric transit bus deployments, balancing near-term emissions reductions with long-term electrification goals.

Hybrid and Battery-Electric Mix for Operational Flexibility

The 75 Xcelsior hybrid-electric buses are expected to deliver improved fuel efficiency and reduced tailpipe emissions compared to conventional diesel models. Meanwhile, the 25 Xcelsior CHARGE NG units represent the next-generation zero emission buses USA transit agencies are increasingly adopting to meet sustainability targets.
Key benefits of the mixed fleet approach include:

• Lower greenhouse gas emissions across high-demand routes

• Reduced fuel consumption through hybrid propulsion systems

• Scalable electrification supported by CHARGE NG battery technology

• Enhanced passenger experience with modernized vehicle design

Strengthening the WMATA Bus Fleet Across the D.C. Region

Metro operates more than 1,500 buses, making it the fifth-largest bus network in the United States. Serving over four million residents across 1,500 square miles in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority relies on continuous fleet upgrades to maintain service quality.
By integrating additional New Flyer Xcelsior hybrid-electric bus and Xcelsior CHARGE NG models, WMATA reinforces its commitment to zero emission buses USA initiatives while ensuring operational continuity. The federally supported procurement under the Federal Transit Administration Low No grant framework underscores how public funding mechanisms are accelerating fleet modernization across major U.S. transit systems, positioning Washington Metro for a more sustainable and resilient future.