The House of Commons is studying whether it can become greener by replacing its parliamentary buses with an electric vehicle alternative.

An online request for information has been issued to hear from battery-powered vehicle suppliers and explore the possibility of switching more than a dozen buses in service.

The buses transport Members of Parliament, Senators, and other staff to the various buildings used for parliamentary business, which extend over more than one kilometer in downtown Ottawa from the Canadian Senate Building across Parliament Hill to the Supreme Court.

Matthew Gravel, a spokesperson for the Speaker’s Office, said the possibility of converting the fleet to electric vehicles aligns with greening the parliamentary precinct, a broader long-term plan to make the area more environmentally friendly.

He added, "We have to start somewhere."

The request for information falls under the jurisdiction of the Board of Internal Economy—the administrative body of the House of Commons—not the government, but the latter has set a target of 60 percent of car sales being electric by 2030 and 100 percent by 2035, aiming to make government fleets greener since 2018.

Gravel said, "I clearly believe there is recognition that when there is a green alternative on the market, we have a duty and an obligation to consider and carefully analyze it."

Gravel pointed out that the information request is part of a larger review of the fleet’s lifecycle, adding that this is the first time the electric vehicle alternative has been assessed as an option.

He continued, "They are now taking a broader approach because they are thinking about electric vehicles."

He said electric vehicles could be ideal for the route, noting that the buses do a relatively short electric circuit and can be recharged quickly.

Gravel added that although the current bus route may not seem significant, the parliamentary precinct is "broader" than many assume, and members use the buses often.

He explained, "(When) people think of Parliament, they think of West Block, East Block, and that’s it, but with the reactivation of Centre Block and the Senate taking place in the old government conference center, the campus has already expanded, as has been known for a few years, so the demand on the fleet is greater."

Gravel said, "I think most (members of Parliament) will say they ride those buses several times a day... There is a great distance, I know it seems like a short trip, but if you need to be somewhere 10 minutes ahead... it can be very useful for members."