Alexander Dennis, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, this week unveiled the first next-generation Enviro400EV battery-electric double decker built to Transport for London (TfL) specification.
The Enviro400EV for London is fitted with 472kWh batteries as standard, which the manufacturer is now able to warrant for 14 years or 1 million km, whichever comes first, under normal operating conditions in the capital. This allows the zero-emission bus to cover two consecutive seven-year route contracts without a need for battery replacement, contributing to low total cost of ownership.
The batteries can be fully charged in as little as three hours through a DC plug connection, or even faster with optional roof-mounted connector rails for pantographs. Energy from the batteries powers the Enviro400EV through the heavy-duty version of the Voith Electrical Drive System, which has shown class-leading efficiency of just 0.67kWh/km over the UK Bus Cycle in Zemo Partnership zero-emission bus certification, increasing available range and contributing to the system’s longevity.
Ben Werth, Group Sales & Business Development Director for Alexander Dennis, explained: “For the TfL Enviro400EV, there is a design sweet spot that optimises available energy and therefore range, as well as vehicle efficiency, length, weight and passenger capacity. In addition to detailed route analysis, we have conducted extensive tests with our supply partners at the cell, module, pack and vehicle level, which have shown that 99% of London routes can be fully serviced with our 472kWh battery.
“This is backed by a fantastic 14-year battery warranty that gives TfL-contracted operators peace of mind by covering the full duration of two consecutive route contracts.”
“This is backed by a fantastic 14-year battery warranty that gives TfL-contracted operators peace of mind by covering the full duration of two consecutive route contracts. This means our Enviro400EV for London meets range requirements whilst achieving highly attractive total cost of ownership and providing commonality and serviceability across the wider electric bus fleet.”
A 354kWh battery capacity version is also available to maximise customer choice for routes where range is not as critical and increased passenger capacity or lower capital investment may be more important factors. Alexander Dennis provides detailed computer simulation of any routes to be operated and can provide recommendations on the best-fit solution for specific routes.
The next-generation Enviro400EV for London is 10.5m long, with a shorter wheelbase aiding manoeuvrability in the capital’s dense traffic and giving it a tight 10.1m turning radius. It has TfL’s standard interior layout with a wheelchair bay accessed via an electric ramp at the centre doors. It seats 62 passengers on high-backed seats, with rear rows on both decks reduced to four seats to increase passenger comfort. Total capacity is up to 87 passengers with 472kWh batteries, or up to 96 passengers with 354kWh batteries.
Alexander Dennis has worked closely with TfL to ensure the Enviro400EV meets the latest iteration of the capital’s pioneering Bus Safety Standard. It was confirmed as the first vehicle to meet pedestrian head-impact requirements.
Alexander Dennis has also engineered the Enviro400EV to meet UN Regulation 155 on cyber security and cyber security management. Although not a legal requirement for the UK, this ensures that the vehicle is protected against malicious attack and that customers’ data is securely hosted within the country.
The first London-specification Enviro400EV launched this week is a demonstrator which will be made available to operators upon completion of its homologation and certification later this year.
The next-generation Enviro400EV for London will shortly be followed by the Enviro100EV “big small bus”, designed to fit TfL’s smallest size of single decker. Orders for both have been taken from London operators. The Enviro200EV single decker is now under development and will cover all other TfL vehicle requirements.
Ben Werth commented: “This week’s launch is the first step in bringing the next generation of zero-emission buses to the capital. We’re not stopping here, with further models in preparation and our future battery roadmap showing growth in battery density, which points towards needing fewer batteries in future to deliver the same total energy at an even better total cost of ownership.”
Forward-looking statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to expected future events of Alexander Dennis and NFI Group, including certain forecasted operating efficiencies, driving range and operator benefits relating to Alexander Dennis’ new product, the Enviro400EV, 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 and speak only as of the date of this press release, 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 the expected energy consumption, electric battery capacity, battery life, cost of ownership, vehicle range and suitability for certain routes and other test results have been obtained under controlled conditions and may not be realized to the same extent or at all when the vehicle is driven in “real-world” operating conditions by customers; there is currently limited operational experience with the Enviro400EV and actual results may differ substantially from expected results once the vehicle has been in operation in several environments and for an extended period; the risks related to the dependence on limited sources or unique sources of supply as described in NFI’s materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca (“Public Disclosure Documents”); and the other risks and uncertainties discussed in the Public Disclosure Documents.
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.