INITIAL NATIONAL EXPRESS DOUBLE-DECK E-BUS ORDER COMPLETES

AS PART OF a batch of 29 ADL-BYD Enviro400EV double-deck electric buses aiding UK operator National Express making its zero-emission transition, the remaining 10 units have been delivered for service in Coventry, the companies jointly announced recently.

Following the first 19 buses starting service in Birmingham earlier this year, Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) and BYD Europe jointly announced the delivery of the remaining 10 double-deckers in line with the operator’s pledge to, “…never buy another diesel bus”.

ADL is a subsidiary of leading independent global bus manufacturer NFI Group Inc. (NFI), while BYD is a global leader in batteries, energy management and electric mobility, they state.

With the latest “clean buses” having entered service in Coventry, it links the city centre and University Hospital, the companies explain.

Built to National Express’s Platinum standard, the 10.9m-long ADL-BYD Enviro400EV offers extra legroom for up to 65 seated passengers, as well as USB chargers and free Wi-Fi, ADL confirms. An advanced heat pump system ensures that saloon heating power is supplied efficiently from the main batteries without unduly impacting operational range, it adds.

OPTIMISED ENERGY

To simplify the transition to electric buses for National Express, the 382kW/h BYD iron-phosphate batteries on each vehicle are maintained by Zenobe Energy – one the UK’s largest owner-operators of mobile and stationary batteries – which provides them to the operator along with the charging system at the depot and a software platform that helps monitor and optimise energy use, ADL explains.

David Bradford, managing director of National Express Bus, said: “Buses are already one of the cleanest ways to travel and as a leading transport operator we are determined to go even further.”

“Earlier this year we announced our ambition to have a zero-emission bus fleet from 2030, so we’re very proud that National Express is bringing fully electric buses to the people of Coventry.

“By working together in partnership we are determined to improve bus services and drive down pollution and emissions, which contribute to poor air quality and climate change.”

ADL president and managing director Paul Davies said: “With the market’s widest range of clean buses, we have been able to meet National Express Group’s fleet requirements as it begins the transition from buying diesel to zero-emission buses, allowing us to grow our long-standing relationship.”

“We look forward to continuing to support National Express as it moves towards the bold target of having a fully zero emission bus fleet in the West Midlands by 2030.”

TANGIBLE BENEFITS

BYD (UK) managing director Frank Thorpe said: “The commitment to a zero-emissions fleet from National Express is as commendable as it is bold, and is indicative of more and more public transport operators who see electrification in particular as a viable long-term solution for their scheduled routes.”

“Our BYD ADL Enviro400EV double-decker is a proven product, already in service with a growing number of customers, delivering tangible operational benefits and providing safe, quiet, emissions-free transport for their passengers.”

Zenobe Energy co-founder Steven Meersman said: “We are delighted to see our partnership with National Express, ADL and BYD expand to Coventry in our second joint depot in the Midlands.”

“This project perfectly demonstrates how Zenobe’s seamless solutions, powered by our proprietary management software that guarantees charging levels and battery range over the life of the vehicles, helps National Express meet its net-zero commitments in a frictionless, financially sustainable way.”