SINGLE AND DOUBLE-DECK e-buses produced via the current Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) and BYD (UK) partnership for the British domestic market will use BYD chassis “designed and assembled” locally, starting from the second half of 2021, the companies have jointly announced.
This significant step has been taken in response to the increasing demand for zero-emission vehicles, they state. It further strengthens the partnership’s market-leading position while underpinning jobs in Britain and developing skills in the growing market for clean vehicle technology, they add.
The move will ensure completed vehicles are built in ADL’s facilities in the UK, they say.
Electric bus chassis assembly will take place in ADL’s facilities with on-the-ground support from the BYD team, and is planned to commence in the second half of 2021, the companies confirm.
ADL – with its Scottish bus origins dating from 1902 – is now a subsidiary of independent global North American-based bus manufacturer NFI Group Inc. (NFI). China-origin automaker BYD was founded in 1995 is a global leader in cars, buses, trucks, batteries, energy management and electric mobility.
Since it began in 2015, the ADL-BYD partnership has gone from strength to strength, with more than 500 electric buses delivered or on order, they state. These have, “…clocked up a combined over 16 million emission-free miles of reliable service in London, as well as numerous towns and cities across the UK.”
According to ADL, more than 70 per cent of electric buses introduced in Britain in this period were supplied by the BYD ADL partnership.
THE CHANGE
Until now, chassis for the BYD ADL Enviro200EV single deck and BYD ADL Enviro400EV double deck buses were fully built by BYD before being delivered to ADL’s facilities to have their bodywork fitted in the UK, ADL confirms.
BYD UK managing director Frank Thorpe: “This news underpins the fantastic relationship we have with ADL in the UK. We have always worked closely to deliver the highest quality products and services, and we are confident that production of complete vehicles here in the UK will bring even greater efficiencies for our customers.
“More importantly, this commitment from both BYD and ADL is also a reflection of the acceptance of e-mobility from local authorities, bus operators and their passengers.
“Electrification in our towns and cities is gathering pace, and the BYD ADL partnership is spearheading the drive towards a more sustainable future,” he said.
ADL president and managing director Paul Davies, said: “I am delighted that we’re moving our electric bus partnership to this next level and building complete zero-emission buses for the UK market in the UK.”
“This ensures that investment in sustainable transport for our towns and cities delivers full economic benefits to communities right across the country,’ he added.
ABOUT BYD UK
BYD UK was established in London, UK, in March 2013 and moved to Iver, in Buckinghamshire, England, in June 2018 to further develop its business, it states.
It is primarily engaged in providing British customers with a series of new energy buses together with inter-related after-sales service, it explains.
Its main focus is to provide UK customers with BYD new energy solutions, including electric vehicles, rechargeable batteries, solar panels, energy storage systems, rail transit and other new energy products, as well as related after-sales services, it states.
Photography: courtesy ADL