Predictika · Battery-electric transit buses

An AI sales agent's electric bus order, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares an order for battery-electric transit buses and their charging equipment: bus length, energy storage, motor, doors, passenger capacity, the range the customer needs, the chargers and the site they will stand on, and the range and fleet energy it states. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the figures New Flyer and NFI Infrastructure Solutions publish and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric buses (35, 40 and 60 foot) with their published energy storage, range, motor, door and capacity limits, and the NFI charger catalog. See everything this validator covers

This validator models an order for the Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric bus and the chargers in the NFI Infrastructure Solutions Charger Catalog 2026, based on the public New Flyer brochure and catalog, not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Bus configuration — the energy storage sizes offered on each length (35 foot: 440 or 550 kWh; 40 foot: 440, 550 or 660 kWh; 60 foot: 660, 770 or 880 kWh), the high-gradeability motor (listed for the 35 and 40 foot buses only), door counts, and the most seats and standees the brochure lists for each length.
  • Range and totals — the range the brochure publishes for each length and energy storage size against the range the customer needs and the range the order states, and the fleet energy storage the order states against buses times kWh.
  • Charging equipment — 16 chargers from the catalog: plug-in (CCS Type 1) and overhead (inverted pantograph) connectors against the charging modes the order needs, remote dispensers, the 480 volt supply, rated input power against the site's available power, and the operating temperature range and altitude of each charger against the site. A bus order with no chargers goes to a person.

Any Xcelsior CHARGE NG order or catalog charger selection that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (neither document publishes any, so this page shows no price build-up), diesel, hybrid and other New Flyer models, options not listed in the brochure, charger models not in the catalog, charging time and site engineering, and New Flyer's own order entry rules.

The AI sales agentBuilds the bus and charger order from the conversation and says it is ready.
Predictika validatorChecks every rule at once and returns the verdict, each finding, and the computed figures.

8 scenarios in 3 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch

What the agent proposes

The AI sales agent says

Illustrative agent statement. The validator receives the structured request below.

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  
  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
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Our assessment of what a typical rules-based CPQ (product rules, price rules and validation rules, as in Salesforce CPQ) does with the same cases. It is a judgment about effort and reliability, not a claim that nothing can be built.

    
What the validator caughtTypical rules-based CPQPredictika
Only the length and energy storage combinations the brochure listsOnly with care
Each length offers a different set of energy storage sizes and each pair has its own published range. A rules-based CPQ needs a compatibility table, and every brochure update means editing it.		Length and energy storage arrive in one request and are matched to the published rows on every call.
Range and fleet energy the order statesOnly with care
Stated figures are free-entry fields; a rule can recompute the published range and the fleet total and compare, but each length needs its own lookup.		The stated range and fleet energy are fields in the request, compared with the computed ones on every call.
Charger connector against the charging mode the buses needOnly with workarounds
Plug-in and overhead are properties of the charger on one line and the requirement of the bus on another, so it needs cross-line rules per charger model.		The charging modes and the selected charger are in one request and are compared with the other rules.
Site limits per charger: power, temperature, altitude, supply voltageOnly with workarounds
Each charger model has its own limits, and the site values live outside the product configuration, so they are rarely checked until engineering review.		The site values travel with the order and every charger limit is checked together.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the order is saved or a step is completed, so a person often fixes one error and meets the next.		All findings come back together, whatever order the choices arrived in.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
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Every rule is checked on every call, in any order the choices arrive; one problem never hides another. Blocking findings stop the quote; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
1An energy storage system of 660 kWh is not offered on this bus length; the brochure lists 440 or 550 kWh for the 35-foot bus, 440, 550 or 660 kWh for the 40-foot bus and 660, 770 or 880 kWh for the 60-foot bus.
2An energy storage system of 770 kWh is not offered on this bus length; the brochure lists 440 or 550 kWh for the 35-foot bus, 440, 550 or 660 kWh for the 40-foot bus and 660, 770 or 880 kWh for the 60-foot bus.
3An energy storage system of 550 kWh is not offered on this bus length; the brochure lists 440 or 550 kWh for the 35-foot bus, 440, 550 or 660 kWh for the 40-foot bus and 660, 770 or 880 kWh for the 60-foot bus.
4The high-gradeability motor is listed only for the 35-foot and 40-foot buses; the 60-foot bus has the ZF in-wheel center drive axle.
5The order has 3 doors; this bus length allows at least 2 and at most 2.
6The order has 4 doors; this bus length allows at least 2 and at most 3.
7The order has 6 doors; this bus length allows at least 2 and at most 5.
8The order has 1 door; this bus length allows at least 2 and at most 3.
9The customer needs 41 seats; the brochure lists up to 40 for this length.
10The customer needs room for 45 standees; the brochure lists up to 44 for this length.
11The customer needs 33 seats; the brochure lists up to 32 for this length.
12The customer needs room for 63 standees; the brochure lists up to 62 for this length.
13The customer needs 321 miles on one charge; the brochure lists 320 miles for this length and energy storage size.
14The customer needs 270 miles on one charge; the brochure lists 218 miles for this length and energy storage size.
15The order states a range of 330 miles; the brochure lists 320 miles for this length and energy storage size.
16The order states 6,000 kWh of energy storage across the fleet; the buses give 6,600 kWh.
17The order has 0 buses; at least 1 is needed.
18The order needs at least one charging mode, plug-in or overhead.
19The order needs overhead charging (inverted pantograph); the selected charger is plug-in only.
20The order needs plug-in charging (CCS Type 1); the selected charger is overhead only.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
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The recorded result of the validator for each scenario on this page: the request the AI agent sent, the verdict, and every finding, in the order they appear above.

    
1. 60-foot buses: motor, capacity and stated range: Eight 60-foot buses with a high-gradeability motor and room for 70 standees

    
The agent's request. Please quote 8 60-foot Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric buses with 770 kWh of energy storage each, a high-gradeability motor and 2 doors, for a transit agency that needs 58 seats, room for 70 standees and 160 miles on one charge. Charging is plug-in and overhead, with 2 HVC 360 chargers and 2 remote dispensers on each. The site has a 480-volt AC supply with 1,000 kVA available, temperatures from -15 to 36 degrees Celsius and an altitude of 200 meters. The order states a range of 190 miles and 6,160 kWh of energy storage across the fleet. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • High-gradeability motor not available on the 60-foot bus. The high-gradeability motor is listed only for the 35-foot and 40-foot buses; the 60-foot bus has the ZF in-wheel center drive axle.
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  • Standees above the published maximum. The customer needs room for 70 standees; the brochure lists up to 62 for this length.
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  • Stated range does not match. The order states a range of 190 miles; the brochure lists 175 miles for this length and energy storage size.
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2. 60-foot buses: motor, capacity and stated range: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 8 60-foot Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric buses with 770 kWh of energy storage each, a standard motor and 2 doors, for a transit agency that needs 58 seats, room for 70 standees and 160 miles on one charge. Charging is plug-in and overhead, with 2 HVC 360 chargers and 2 remote dispensers on each. The site has a 480-volt AC supply with 1,000 kVA available, temperatures from -15 to 36 degrees Celsius and an altitude of 200 meters. The order states a range of 175 miles and 6,160 kWh of energy storage across the fleet. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Standees above the published maximum. The customer needs room for 70 standees; the brochure lists up to 62 for this length.
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3. 60-foot buses: motor, capacity and stated range: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 8 60-foot Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric buses with 770 kWh of energy storage each, a standard motor and 2 doors, for a transit agency that needs 58 seats, room for 62 standees and 160 miles on one charge. Charging is plug-in and overhead, with 2 HVC 360 chargers and 2 remote dispensers on each. The site has a 480-volt AC supply with 1,000 kVA available, temperatures from -15 to 36 degrees Celsius and an altitude of 200 meters. The order states a range of 175 miles and 6,160 kWh of energy storage across the fleet. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 8 buses of 60 feet with 770 kWh each give 6,160 kWh in total and a published range of 175 miles.
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4. Range and energy storage: Twelve 40-foot buses with 440 kWh of energy storage for a 270-mile need

    
The agent's request. Please quote 12 40-foot Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric buses with 440 kWh of energy storage each, a standard motor and 2 doors, for a transit agency that needs 38 seats, room for 40 standees and 270 miles on one charge. Charging is plug-in and overhead, with 2 HVC 300 chargers and 2 remote dispensers on each. The site has a 480-volt AC supply with 1,000 kVA available, temperatures from -20 to 38 degrees Celsius and an altitude of 300 meters. The order states a range of 270 miles and 5,280 kWh of energy storage across the fleet. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Range below the customer need. The customer needs 270 miles on one charge; the brochure lists 218 miles for this length and energy storage size.
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  • Stated range does not match. The order states a range of 270 miles; the brochure lists 218 miles for this length and energy storage size.
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5. Range and energy storage: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 12 40-foot Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric buses with 660 kWh of energy storage each, a standard motor and 2 doors, for a transit agency that needs 38 seats, room for 40 standees and 270 miles on one charge. Charging is plug-in and overhead, with 2 HVC 300 chargers and 2 remote dispensers on each. The site has a 480-volt AC supply with 1,000 kVA available, temperatures from -20 to 38 degrees Celsius and an altitude of 300 meters. The order states a range of 320 miles and 7,920 kWh of energy storage across the fleet. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 12 buses of 40 feet with 660 kWh each give 7,920 kWh in total and a published range of 320 miles.
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6. Charging equipment: Six 35-foot buses with an overhead-only charger

    
The agent's request. Please quote 6 35-foot Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric buses with 550 kWh of energy storage each, a standard motor and 2 doors, for a transit agency that needs 30 seats, room for 30 standees and 250 miles on one charge. Charging is plug-in, with 2 HVC 150PD chargers and 2 remote dispensers on each. The site has a 480-volt AC supply with 1,000 kVA available, temperatures from -10 to 35 degrees Celsius and an altitude of 150 meters. The order states a range of 273 miles and 3,300 kWh of energy storage across the fleet. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Charger has no plug-in connector. The order needs plug-in charging (CCS Type 1); the selected charger is overhead only.
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  • Too many remote dispensers. The order needs 2 remote dispensers on each charger; the selected charger supports up to 0.
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7. Charging equipment: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 6 35-foot Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric buses with 550 kWh of energy storage each, a standard motor and 2 doors, for a transit agency that needs 30 seats, room for 30 standees and 250 miles on one charge. The order has no chargers; the customer will arrange its own. The site has a 480-volt AC supply with 1,000 kVA available, temperatures from -10 to 35 degrees Celsius and an altitude of 150 meters. The order states a range of 273 miles and 3,300 kWh of energy storage across the fleet. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • No charger on the order. The order has no charging equipment; a person should confirm the customer has compatible chargers.
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  • Order summary. 6 buses of 35 feet with 550 kWh each give 3,300 kWh in total and a published range of 273 miles.
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8. Charging equipment: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 6 35-foot Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric buses with 550 kWh of energy storage each, a standard motor and 2 doors, for a transit agency that needs 30 seats, room for 30 standees and 250 miles on one charge. Charging is plug-in, with 1 HVC 200 charger and 2 remote dispensers on each. The site has a 480-volt AC supply with 1,000 kVA available, temperatures from -10 to 35 degrees Celsius and an altitude of 150 meters. The order states a range of 273 miles and 3,300 kWh of energy storage across the fleet. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 6 buses of 35 feet with 550 kWh each give 3,300 kWh in total and a published range of 273 miles.
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Narration transcript
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The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent prepares an order for battery-electric transit buses and their charging equipment: bus length, energy storage, motor, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the figures New Flyer and NFI Infrastructure Solutions publish and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.
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  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
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  3. The agent says. Please quote 8 60-foot Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric buses with 770 kWh of energy storage each, a high-gradeability motor and 2 doors. Charging is plug-in and overhead, with 2 HVC 360 chargers and 2 remote dispensers on each. The rest of the request is on screen. The order states a range of 190 miles and 6,160 kWh of energy storage across the fleet.
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  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
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  5. Blocked, with three findings, all in one answer. The high-gradeability motor is listed only for the 35-foot and 40-foot buses; the 60-foot bus has the ZF in-wheel center drive axle. The customer needs room for 70 standees; the brochure lists up to 62 for this length. The order states a range of 190 miles; the brochure lists 175 miles for this length and energy storage size.
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  6. The validator returned three blocking findings in one answer. A check that reads one field at a time would pass most of this; it shows only when the choices in the quote are checked against each other.
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  7. What this shows: for range and fleet energy the order states, a rules-based CPQ is error-prone for this.
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  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the motor to standard and the stated range as to 175 miles.
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  10. It calls the validator again.
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  11. Still blocked, with one finding, all in one answer. The customer needs room for 70 standees; the brochure lists up to 62 for this length.
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  12. Two findings cleared; still blocked on standees above the published maximum.
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  13. The agent resubmits once more.
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  14. The revised request. It changes the standees needed to 62.
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  15. It calls the validator once more.
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  16. This time the validator clears it.
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  17. The earlier finding is cleared, and the validator's figure matches the quote.
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  18. Three problems caught in one call, fixed in two passes, and a clean quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer.
    19.