Alexander Dennis, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, today confirmed further details of its next-generation Enviro200EV single decker, which will launch in 2025 to expand the company’s zero-emission bus offer for the United Kingdom.
As rollout of the next generation of Alexander Dennis zero-emission buses continues apace, with both provincial and London versions of both the Enviro400EV double decker and Enviro100EV “big small bus” now completed, development of the new Enviro200EV is on track and on schedule for a launch next year.
It will build on the success of the Enviro200 as Britain’s best-selling bus, with vehicle sizes and interior layouts reflecting the popular low-emission vehicles.
“Britain’s best bus is becoming Britain’s best zero-emission bus”
Alexander Dennis President & Managing Director, Paul Davies, said: “With the next-generation Enviro200EV, Britain’s best bus is becoming Britain’s best zero-emission bus. We’re continuing the same design principles that have underpinned over 22,000 vehicles since the original Dennis Dart launched the modern lightweight bus 35 years ago. The next-generation Enviro200EV will be another great bus that is the perfect fit for operators both here in the UK and internationally.”
The Enviro200EV will offer customers a scalable platform across midi and full-size single deck lengths. 9.9m, 10.9m and 11.7m options form the core of the offering and will be available both to provincial and Transport for London operators, with an additional 10.4m length available in the capital. All will have a 2.47m wide body to increase manoeuvrability with no compromise to interior comfort and space.
Long wheelbase lengths and short overhangs maximise the Enviro200EV’s easily accessible low-floor area, while reduced wheel intrusion compared with heavyweight designs further increases space for passengers. This enables high numbers of seats and high total passenger capacities to be offered for each of the vehicles’ lengths.
In provincial specification, the Enviro200EV can be fitted with up to 33, 39 or 43 seats at 9.9m, 10.9m and 11.7m respectively, with total passenger capacity reaching up to 92 on the longest model. This is up to two seats and as much as up to 22 total passengers more than other vehicles of comparable length and specification currently offered in the United Kingdom. One or two wheelchair spaces can be provided, accessed via a manual ramp at the front door.
Buses for London will have two doors, with wheelchair users boarding via an electric ramp at the rear door. Accommodating a maximum of between 59 and 72 passengers in total depending on length, the Enviro200EV’s Transport for London specifications have been carefully designed to boost the number of seats available. Seating capacities range from 26 to 34, providing between two and five extra seats compared to other major manufacturers’ products.
Looking to the interior of the Enviro200EV, there will be an enhanced look and feel with warmer colour tones, distinctive styling lines and a revised surface finish to give passengers a quality experience that makes them feel valued and confirms they made the right choice in travelling by bus.
Transport authorities and bus operators will continue to be able to choose from a wide range of specification options to tailor vehicles to their individual requirements.
The Enviro200EV has been designed with the same focus on efficiency that has already seen its Enviro100EV and Enviro400EV sister vehicles confirmed as the most energy-efficient buses in their respective sizes when measured over the Zemo Partnership’s UK Bus Cycle alongside a class-leading 97% grid-to-wheel efficiency.
The new single decker’s lightweight design with a lower height and lighter vehicle structure delivers a weight advantage of around two tonnes compared to competitor heavyweight single deckers, underpinning its energy efficiency credentials. This very significant weight advantage does not come with any compromise to the vehicle structure, with the new Enviro200EV delivering a significant improvement in stiffness over earlier electric buses.
It will be powered by the highly efficient Voith Electrical Drive System, whose medium-duty version has been designed especially for lighter-weight and smaller vehicles and will be fitted as standard on the Enviro200EV. The heavy-duty option will be available for demanding, high-speed routes that benefit from a stronger motor.
A 400kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery system from Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) delivers the best balance of attributes for the Enviro200EV. It will offer up to 1.4GWh of warrantable energy throughput.
Paul Davies explained: “Battery form factor is less constrained on Enviro200EV compared to our other next-generation buses where we commissioned a bespoke system to ensure that we delivered highest passenger capacity and a safe, step-free saloon layout. We’re delighted to work with multiple suppliers to offer our customers the best choice for each type of bus. CATL’s batteries are a proven solution that lends itself well to the Enviro200EV.”
Engineering of the Enviro200EV is largely complete and production will commence shortly ahead of a launch of the finished product in 2025.
The Enviro200EV adds key vehicle sizes to the Alexander Dennis zero-emission bus range for the United Kingdom, allowing customers to choose a single supplier for all their electric buses.
Full family integration with the Enviro100EV and Enviro400EV ensures commonality across operations and maintenance programmes, which will combine with the manufacturer’s focus on efficiency and the Enviro200EV’s attractive exterior and interior design to deliver to a highly competitive product that will further accelerate the transition to zero-emission mobility.
Forward-looking statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to expected future events and financial and operating results of Alexander Dennis and NFI Group that involve risks and uncertainties. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, investors cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and the differences may be material. Actual results may differ materially from management expectations as projected in such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including market and general economic conditions and economic conditions of and funding availability for customers to purchase buses and to purchase parts or services; customers may not exercise options to purchase additional buses; the ability of customers to suspend or terminate contracts for convenience; production may be delayed or production rates may be decreased as a result of the pandemic or ongoing and future supply chain disruptions and shortages of parts and components, shipping and freight delays, and disruption to labor supply; risks related to reliance on third-party manufacturers of Alexander Dennis’ products; and the other risks and uncertainties discussed in the materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca.
Due to the potential impact of these factors, the NFI Group disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law.