MCI electric coaches are being produced in North Dakota. First unit shipped

NFI’s subsidiary Motor Coach Industries (MCI) announces it has shipped the first of nine battery-electric coaches built in its Pembina, North Dakota facility.

NFI has electric vehicles operating (or on order) in more than 150 cities in six countries. NFI offers the widest range of zero-emission battery and fuel cell-electric buses and coaches, and its vehicles have completed over 220 million EV service miles. Specifications of the electric coach on delivery have not been released. Previously MCI had announced plans for e-coach production in 2021.

MCI electric coaches in delivery

The production of electric coaches is a major milestone for the Pembina facility and follows NFI’s November 2023 announcement that it was continuing operations in North Dakota. NFI recaps that the group “had originally announced a planned closure by 2025, but after careful deliberations regarding NFI’s North American footprint and the significant improvements in market conditions and demand for MCI coaches saw a path to retain the long-standing Pembina facility”.

Over the past nine months, MCI stresses that it has made significant infrastructure and labor investments in the Pembina facility, which has enabled them to support the completion of electric coaches. This infrastructure includes chargers, storage areas, and commissioning areas plus extensive training.

“We are pleased to see these first electric coaches come off the assembly line in Pembina following a significant investment in training and infrastructure to support the transition to zero-emission,” said Chris Stoddart, President, North American Bus and Coach, NFI. “Thank you to the over 120 team members at Pembina for your determination and dedication to MCI over the past few years and I look forward to welcoming more team members as we continue to service our customers.”

“As a major manufacturer and employer in northeast North Dakota, Motor Coach Industries’ investment in the Pembina facility is great news for the region, our state’s economy and the hardworking North Dakotans who keep MCI on the industry’s cutting edge,” said North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. “Innovation drives our economy, and we congratulate MCI and NFI Group on achieving this significant milestone, setting the company up for further success in the future.”

“MCI officially opened its Pembina facility in 1963, marking their entrance into the U.S. coach market,” said Paul Soubry, President and Chief Executive Officer, NFI. “Since then, this facility has manufactured and delivered our market leading products to our customers, and I am thrilled that today they have delivered their first ever electric coach showcasing our evolution as a company and our commitment to clean and sustainable transportation solutions.”