Alexander Dennis, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, today announced that Scottish bus company Shuttle Buses has ordered one Enviro100EV next-generation electric bus following the model’s launch last month.
Shuttle Buses is the first independent operator to confirm an order for the manufacturer’s new ‘big small bus’. The company is Scotland’s only employee-owned bus company, its 75-strong workforce running a fleet of 55 buses and coaches from its Ayrshire base in Kilwinning.
The purchase is supported by existing funding from the first phase of the Scottish Government’s Scottish Zero-Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB).
The zero-emission Enviro100EV has been designed from the ground up to meet the specific requirements of bus operation in the UK and Ireland. At just 8.5m long and 2.35m wide, it fits tight streets in housing estates and narrow country lanes that larger buses cannot reach while offering the same engineering quality, work environment and passenger comfort as a bigger bus.
Equipped with 354kWh batteries supplied by Impact Clean Power Technology to an Alexander Dennis design and with power supplied through the efficient Voith Electrical Drive System, the Enviro100EV offers a class-leading operational range of up to 285 miles on a single charge.
Shuttle Buses Managing Director, Ross Granger, said: “We were very impressed by the Enviro100EV at the recent launch, particularly as it builds on Alexander Dennis’s experience in designing electric buses and operators’ experience running them. We’re confident that it will meet our need for a small EV with sensible range. We were the first Scottish operator of the classic Enviro200 back in 2006 and we’re delighted to be returning to Alexander Dennis and trailblazing the Enviro100EV.”
Charlie Miller, Retail Sales Director at Alexander Dennis, added: “Shuttle Buses joined us at the recent launch event for our next-generation electric buses and we’re thrilled to now have them on board as the first independent sector customer for the Enviro100EV. This is a huge investment from a forward-thinking business. Our ‘big small bus’ is ideal for many of the routes smaller operators like Shuttle Buses specialise in. They will be fully supported through AD24, benefitting from our ongoing investment in even better aftermarket services.”
Shuttle Buses was the first Scottish operator of the classic Enviro200 in 2006.
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.