A new player in the electric transit space, Quebec-based Letenda, is trying to solve a problem that has plagued the transition to electric buses in North America: the “missing middle.” While we have seen plenty of full-size 40-foot electric buses and smaller shuttles, the 30-foot “midibus” market has been largely underserved.
Letenda thinks they have the answer with the “Electrip,” a ground-up design that focuses heavily on winter efficiency and a modular build.
The ‘Electrip’: Solving the Goldilocks Problem?
Most transit agencies are forced to choose between a massive 40-foot bus that runs empty half the day or a cutaway shuttle that often find itself at over capacity. Letenda’s pitch is that the 30-foot (9-meter) segment is the sweet spot for suburban routes, airports, and universities.
The specs on the Electrip are solid for this segment:
- Powertrain: Cummins battery system with 222-296 kWh capacity.
- Chassis: A modular aluminum structure developed with Rio Tinto.
- Charging: 150 kW DC fast charging (full charge in ~2 hours).
- Capacity: Up to 45 passengers (24 seated) + 6 wheelchairs.
- Winter Optimization: Radiant floor heating and heated windshields, which is a smart move given how much energy standard HVAC systems suck out of EV batteries in sub-zero temps.
The bus also features a rear-wheel steering system that significantly reduces the turning radius, a critical feature for navigating tight urban centers and depots.
I experienced it in a short test ride in Quebec City last year and I can imagine bus drivers loving this feature.
The ‘Asset-Light’ Gamble
Unlike Tesla or even Lion Electric, Letenda isn’t trying to own the entire manufacturing stack.
They are partnering with a manufacturer in Windsor, Ontario, for assembly. The idea is to reduce the massive capital expenditure (Capex) usually required to build a bus factory. They claim this allows them to reach profitability by 2029 with a fraction of the investment burned by their competitors.
It’s a risky strategy. While it lowers upfront costs, it often leads to lower margins and less control over production quality. However, Letenda argues that by focusing on one product (the 30ft bus) rather than trying to build school buses, trucks, and batteries simultaneously, they can avoid the “lack of focus” that they claim drove Lion Electric into bankruptcy in 2024.
Validated in the Cold
The company isn’t just operating on paper. They’ve run pilot programs with major agencies:
- Coast Mountain Bus Company (Vancouver): Ran a 3,000 km test in early 2025. Feedback highlighted good maneuverability and reliability.
- Exo (Montreal): Tested in winter and summer conditions, achieving energy efficiency between 0.85 and 1.28 kWh/km.
- YUL Airport: Signed as the launch client with a $1.35M order.
They currently have a roadmap to deliver 5 buses in 2027, ramping up to 78 units by 2030. The company is currently trying to raise a round of financing to help achieve this goal.
Electrek’s Take
Letenda is interesting because they are attacking a specific niche, the 30-foot bus, something that the big players like New Flyer and Proterra (RIP) often treat as an afterthought. Their decision to use aluminum (thanks to the Rio Tinto partnership) is smart for longevity in northern climates.
If you are ready for the Canadian winter, you are pretty much ready for anything.
I also appreciate the asset-light approach, something that I hope will attract some investors, something that has been increasingly difficult in the Canadian EV sector after Lion and Taiga went under.
But Lion and Taiga raised hundreds of millions of dollars and went too big, too fast. Letenda is clearly taking a more cautious approach, doing more with less – trying to deliver value in the electric vehicle sector by focusing on a single new EV that can brought to market for a fraction of the investments made in those previously mentioned ventures.
If you are interested, I suggest you reach out to the people at Letenda to learn more about their current effort.
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