Alexander Dennis, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., a leader in propulsion-agnostic bus and coach mobility solutions with market-leading zero-emission bus platforms, today announced that it has delivered an initial 12 Enviro400EV zero-emission double deckers to Arriva London as part of a larger order for 30 buses. They are the manufacturer’s first next-generation electric buses to enter service on behalf of Transport for London (TfL).
With the 12 new Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV, Arriva has taken over operation of the SL6 route, a limited-stop service linking West Croydon and Russell Square during peak hours. It is part of the Superloop network of express bus routes, introduced by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, which improve connections and journey times between outer London town centres and transport hubs as well as on selected corridors into central London.
The new Enviro400EV include many features specified in TfL’s pioneering Bus Safety Standard, such as blind spot monitoring, intelligent speed assistance and a revised front geometry that protects vulnerable road users.
They are powered by the heavy-duty version of the Voith Electrical Drive System, with energy stored in 472kWh batteries. Enhanced energy management and an advanced zero-emission HVAC system supplied by Grayson Thermal Systems combine to deliver great operational performance, with testing overseen by the Zemo Partnership having delivered a class-leading energy consumption of 0.67kWh/km over the UK Bus Cycle alongside 97% grid-to-wheel efficiency.1
In addition to the 12 buses for Superloop route SL6, Arriva London will shortly receive another 18 Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV which will be used on TfL route 196.
“This delivery of our first TfL-specification Enviro400EV brings a new bus for London to the streets of the capital.”
Neil Gladstone, Alexander Dennis National Account Manager, said: “This delivery of our first TfL-specification Enviro400EV is a milestone in the roll-out of our next generation of electric buses and brings a new bus for London to the streets of the capital.
“Initial operation has been trouble-free and monitoring through our comprehensive AD Connect telematics shows that the buses are performing as expected, with real-world efficiency in line with the route analysis calculations we made earlier. This gives us great confidence that these next-generation Enviro400EV will enjoy long operating lives underpinned by their 14-year, one million km warranty.”
Marcos Hart, Managing Director London at Arriva UK Bus, said: “We’re delighted to have placed this exciting order with the team at Alexander Dennis and to be the first operator to bring these state-of-the-art buses to London. This latest milestone builds on the millions of pounds we have already invested in creating the clean, electrified and high performing fleet that our customers deserve – helping to encourage even more people to travel sustainably on public transport.”
1 Information on Zemo Partnership zero-emission bus testing methodology and zero-emission bus certificate for the next-generation Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV are available at https://www.zemo.org.uk/work-with-us/buses-coaches/low-emission-buses/certificates-hub.htm.
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