The Enviro400EVs, in the livery of the Harrogate Bus Company, are fitted with roof-mounted charging rails to allow their 472kWh batteries be topped up by pantograph during layovers at Harrogate bus station.

Any need for additional energy for the 27-mile route, will be kept to a minimum due to the Enviro400EV’s driveline powered by the heavy-duty Voith Electrical Drive System.

Features include bespoke flooring, USB and wireless mobile device charging and audio-visual passenger information systems including displays facing the two wheelchair bays.

In addition, seats are arranged in a 2+1 pattern on the upper deck, with reclining single seats angled inwards alongside expanded window ledges and armrests.

Transdev Blazefield received funding for the purchase from the first round of the UK Government’s Zero-Emission Bus Regional Areas scheme (ZEBRA 1), via its partner North Yorkshire Council.

Henri Rohard, Transdev Blazefield Managing Director, said, “We are delighted to be working with Alexander Dennis on the next generation of the 36.

“This service has a special place in Transdev Blazefield network. I believe that the configuration considered in this bus is the best available and integrates all the latest innovation that we could think of. The design has been considered to improve our passenger comfort, safety, and accessibility.

“We will continue to integrate after the launch, additional features to further boost the quality of our passenger and driver on board information. We are looking forward to welcoming these buses into our fleet in the coming months.”

The post Alexander Dennis supplies Enviro400EV buses for Harrogate route appeared first on theenergyst.com.

The agreement follows an earlier initial order placed by Golden Tours with Equipmake in February for an unspecified number of conversions to battery-electric worth £2 million.

Golden Tours was established in 1984 and specialises providing tours around London and day trips to locations such as Stonehenge and Bath.

Equipmake expects to begin delivery of these ten repowered buses over the coming months.

The company’s ZED is a modular and scalable repowering solution, making it applicable to both single and double-deck applications.

Equipmake’s technology features its in-house developed electric motor, inverter, and power electronics, which are combined with lithium-ion batteries.

Also, each conversion costs less than half the price of a new electric bus.

Ian Foley, CEO, Equipmake said, “This new contract is testament to the quality and reliability of our products and reflects an increasing move in the sector towards sustainable operational alternatives.

“Equipmake’s bus repowering provides an economically compelling alternative to purchasing new electric vehicles and we are delighted that we can support Golden Tours as it works to make its fleet sustainable.”

Mikesh Palan, Managing Director at Golden Tours, added, “By extending our relationship with Equipmake, Golden Tours is ensuring its operations are as sustainable as possible.

“The cutting-edge capabilities of Equipmake’s Zero-Emission Drivetrain and its many cost, sustainability and efficiency advantages highlighted clear benefits of this continued partnership.”

The post Equipmake in electric bus repower deal with Golden Tours appeared first on theenergyst.com.

Specifically designed for London, the Chinese manufacturer plans to introduce a provincial version of the bus to follow soon after.

The BD11 features BYD’s Blade Battery, which the manufacturer says provides exceptional range, performance, and fast charging capabilities with a battery capacity of up to 532kWh.

It also offers flexible and rapid charging options, supporting dual-gun charging and pantograph fast charging up to 500kW, which means the vehicle can be recharged from 0 to 100% in two hours.

The battery is integrated into the chassis to save weight, increase driving range, and improve stability and manoeuvrability, while also increasing interior space for passengers.

In addition, the BYD BD11 is equipped with an integrated thermal management system to optimise energy utilisation.

BYD has developed its own powertrain systems, power batteries, automotive semiconductors, motors and motor controller systems.

Frank Thorpe, Managing Director, BYD UK Commercial Vehicles said, “BYD is committed to technological innovation and spearheading the global transition towards eco-conscious public transportation.

“The BYD BD11 will play a pivotal role in contributing to the reduction of air pollution in London and, soon after, the UK’s wider carbon neutrality goals.

“We are proud to launch our own all-new electric double decker bus with highly innovative, world-leading technology for safe and reliable electric mobility, providing operators with modern eco-friendly eBus options that meet their specifications, thus providing more people the choice to use clean, non-polluting bus services in the future.”

The post BYD launches electric double-decker bus for UK appeared first on theenergyst.com.

Manufactured by Wrightbus in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, the Electroliner GB Kite single-deck vehicle has 38 seats and includes a 454kwh battery pack.

The shuttle service has been operated by Oxford Bus Company since 2020 and connects Bicester Village Station and Bicester North Station to each other, as well as a direct connection to the village as part of the service.

Jointly funded by Value Retail and Chiltern Railways, it operates 364 days per year, whenever Bicester Village is open, to provide a sustainable mode of transport for visitors and staff.

Oxford Bus Company was recently awarded a further three-year contract to operate the shuttle service and the additional Park & Ride bus service, which serves Bicester Village on busier shopping days, until April 2027.

Earlier this year it was announced that Oxford will host the biggest fleet of electric buses in the UK, outside London.

The £82.5 million project will deliver 159 new battery-powered buses into service in Oxford and fund two associated electric charging hubs at the city’s bus depots.

Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director, said, “It is fantastic to see our relationship with Bicester Village and Chiltern Railways go from strength to strength based on shared values and a commitment to providing joined-up, sustainable travel solutions.

“The investment in launching an electric vehicle into the shuttle service is another exciting step forward in the partnership for the greater benefit of visitors to Bicester Village and the wider community.”

The post Electric bus for Bicester Village shuttle service appeared first on theenergyst.com.

The investment, made up of both buses and infrastructure, totals £112 million, with the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) contribution being £44 million and local authorities adding £6m.

Go-Ahead, which aims to achieve a fully decarbonised fleet by 2035, will invest £62m.

The investment includes:

• 50 Zero Emission Buses for Go South West’s, Plymouth CityBus, and Go Cornwall Bus operators.
• 45 zero emission buses at Go South Coast operators, Southern Vectis and Salisbury Reds.
• 43 vehicles for its Metrobus fleet in Crawley and 16 for its Brighton & Hove Buses division.
• 11 buses at Go North East, Riverside depot
• 15 vehicles for Pulhams Coaches at its Bourton-on-the-Water depot.
• 21 ZEBs in Hull, at East Yorkshire Buses

Miguel Parras, CEO of The Go-Ahead Group said: “We are proud to lead the way in electrifying urban transit and accelerating the transition to cleaner, greener transport and we extend our gratitude to all our partners for trusting in us to deliver.

“Our ongoing partnership with local authority partners and our investment in cutting-edge EV technology are driving meaningful reductions in carbon emissions and delivering tangible benefits to communities across the UK.”

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said, “As part of our plan to improve local transport across the country, we’re providing a further £143 million to improve journeys for bus passengers particularly in rural areas, with almost a thousand brand new, zero-emission buses due to hit the road.”

The post Go-Ahead to have 1100 zero emission buses by 2026 appeared first on theenergyst.com.

The zero-emission Enviro400EVs, which are 11.1m long and 4.2m high, will enter service on Oxford city services in the coming months.

This will enable the full electrification of local routes in the Oxford Smart Zone – a joint initiative between Stagecoach and partners Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford Bus Company, supported by UK Government funding.

They have capacity for 83 passengers, including 69 on comfortable high-backed seats with USB-A and USB-C charging ports. Two wheelchair spaces are provided.

While installation of charging infrastructure continues at Stagecoach’s new Network Oxford site, driver training will begin shortly ahead of a launch into service later this spring.

The Enviro400EV has recently been confirmed to have a theoretical energy consumption of 0.67kWh/km over the Zemo Partnership’s UK Bus Cycle.

Alexander Dennis’s engineers have achieved this benchmark result by combining the heavy-duty version of the Voith Electrical Drive System with a future-proof battery system from Impact Clean Power Technology storing 472kWh of energy.

Paul Davies, President & Managing Director for Alexander Dennis, said, “The delivery of our first next-generation electric bus in the United Kingdom is a milestone in the roll-out of our new product range and we’re delighted to be marking this moment with our launch customer Stagecoach.

“These buses will be driving value through efficiency with class-leading energy consumption as well as through their future-proof battery system which is designed to last a 20-year life of a double deck bus in provincial operation with just one change of batteries.”

The post Stagecoach in Oxford receives first of 55 new electric buses appeared first on theenergyst.com.

The work, undertaken at UTAC’s approved test facility at Millbrook Proving Ground, confirmed an average energy consumption of just 0.67kWh/km across the UK Bus Cycle.

The UK Bus Cycle represents a mix of common operating conditions with separate phases modelled on inner urban, outer urban and rural routes.

Combined with the Enviro400EV’s future-proof battery system, which is supplied by Impact Clean Power Technology and allows 88% of its 472kWh capacity to be used, the 0.67kWh/km energy consumption in the UK Bus Cycle gives the electric double decker a theoretical operating range of up to 385 miles on a single charge.

The Zemo Partnership certifies vehicles following independent physical testing to ensure public money such as the UK Government’s Zero-Emission Regional Bus Areas (ZEBRA) or the Scottish Government’s Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) supports proven zero-emission vehicle technologies that will perform in service.

In addition to demonstrating the Enviro400EV’s energy efficiency, its zero-emission bus certification also confirms that well-to-wheel greenhouse gas emissions when charged with UK grid electricity are 84% lower than those of an average Euro-6 diesel equivalent vehicle.

Chris Gall, Alexander Dennis Group Engineering Director, said, “Our next-generation Enviro400EV’s energy efficiency of 0.67kWh/km sets a new benchmark and is testament to Alexander Dennis’s lineage and strength in designing innovative products meeting the needs of the UK bus industry.

“The result demonstrates not just to the expertise of our fantastic engineering team who designed and developed the bus – it also confirms the efficacy of the system of zero-emission bus testing overseen by the Zemo Partnership.”

The post Enviro400EV bus sets energy efficiency benchmark appeared first on theenergyst.com.

The first batch of 12 vehicles, all E12s, were recently unveiled at NCT’s Trent Bridge Garage, with attendees from all the key stakeholders – Nottingham City Council, Nottingham City Transport, dealer Pelican Engineering, and electrification specialist Zenobe.

These are the first zero emission battery electric buses for Nottingham City Transport, who have worked with Pelican and Yutong to develop a high specification bus.

The balance of the order will be delivered in two further tranches, with twelve due in April 2024 and the remaining twenty-four in March 2025.

Ian Downie, Head of Yutong Sales at Pelican Bus & Coach said, “This is a significant step for Nottingham City Transport on their journey to zero emissions. The Nottingham team have challenged us to produce a customer centric vehicle, and we are extremely proud of what has been achieved.

“The vehicle is fitted with full colour front destinations, luxury trimmed high backed seating, new swept hand poles, illuminated bell pushes, and our electric air conditioning system for maximum customer comfort.”

David Astill, NCT’s Managing Director said, “The delivery of these buses from Yutong represents the exciting start of our journey to a battery-electric fleet, with a target to replace all of our remaining diesel buses in the next four years.

“We are currently undertaking a comprehensive familiarisation programme for our drivers and engineers and both are full of praise for these new buses. I am confident our passengers will be equally impressed.”

The post Yutong to deliver 48 electric buses to Nottingham appeared first on theenergyst.com.

The vehicle, launched in 2021, has been on a UK-wide tour, including in London previously, to give bus operators and local authorities the chance to see it in action and showcase its capabilities.

Dozens of Wrightbus’s EVs are set to be rolled out across the capital after the firm also secured new orders with Arriva and Abellio last year.

Official assessments undertaken at the UTAC Millbrook test track using the ZEMO-accredited Ultra Low Emission Bus (ULEB) test showed that the Electroliner achieved a result of 0.69kWh/km.

Chris McKeown, Go-Ahead London’s Engineering Director, said, “As the UK’s largest and most experienced electric bus operator, we are working with Transport for London and our innovative supply chain to deliver a sustainable, zero-emission future for the capital’s iconic red buses.

“Go-Ahead London has a long association with Wrightbus and I welcome the opportunity to trial the StreetDeck Electroliner, which we will robustly evaluate over the coming months.”

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO at Wrightbus, said, “We’re looking forward to seeing the world’s most efficient double deck EV bus on the streets of London to show everyone what it is capable of. We’re confident both our customers and passengers will enjoy the experience.

“Innovation and technology is at the core of everything we do. We are the only manufacturer in Europe to offer a complete suite of zero-emission buses, with both battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell single and double decks.”

The post Go-Ahead London trial Electroliner from Wrightbus appeared first on theenergyst.com.

The orders consist of 24 single-deck fully electric GB Kite Electroliners and 56 double-deck StreetDeck Electroliners which will be rolled out across the capital in 2024, operated by Abellio on behalf of Transport for London.

These new-look 2024 Kites come with several safety features to make them compliant with TfL’s bus safety standards, including front and nearside blindspot warnings, tyre pressure monitoring system, automated emergency braking system, and dynamic stability test.

The deal also takes Abellio’s total order of StreetDeck Electroliners with Wrightbus to more than 100.

Official assessments undertaken at UTAC Millbrook using the ZEMO-accredited Ultra Low Emission Bus (ULEB) test showed that the Electronlier achieved a result of 0.69 kWh/km.

Also, the bus interiors have been designed in partnership with Abellio to provide increased comfort for customers.

They are fitted with Lazzerini high back seats throughout, and a wood-effect floor adds to the design. USB chargers and mobile phone holders in the seats mean passengers can work or relax more easily.

Priority seats feature a contrasting colour scheme, and the vehicles also have a larger wheelchair and buggy area, improving accessibility.

The buses are being manufactured at the Wrightbus headquarters in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

Jon Eardley, Managing Director of Abellio, said, “Abellio sits at the forefront of EV bus technology in London, leading the way with the introduction of zero-emission buses across our six London depots.

“We are proud to support Transport for London and the Mayor of London’s goals to decarbonise London’s streets.

“Abellio’s investment in state-of-the-art EV fleet and comprehensive infrastructure has already provided millions of customers with comfortable, cleaner, and greener journeys.”

The post Wrightbus to build 80 electric buses for Abellio London appeared first on theenergyst.com.

These buses will be based at Arriva’s Enfield depot and will serve passengers on Route 279, taking its fleet in the capital to more than 100 electric vehicles across its four electrified garages.

Wrightbus, based in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, will also deliver a previous order of 50 Electroliners to London this year, as well as a further 24 to Leicester.

Official assessments undertaken at UTAC Millbrook using the Zemo-accredited Ultra Low Emission Bus (ULEB) test showed that the Electronliner achieved a result of 0.69 kWh/km.

According to ULEB calculations, the StreetDeck Electroliner also produces 86% less CO2 per km than the Zemo Euro-6 Diesel baseline.

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO at Wrightbus, said, “Our continued partnership with Arriva is hugely significant in the drive to zero-emission public transport.

“Seeing the impact our fleet is having on communities is incredibly gratifying and we must continue to strengthen the case for further support for zero-emissions transport to ensure net zero targets are met.

“We are consistently at the forefront of zero and low-emission travel and look forward to progressing future orders with bus operators across the globe.”

Marcos Hart, operations director for Arriva UK Bus, said, “We are delighted to once again be partnering with Wrightbus to welcome a further 34 zero-emission electric vehicles into our growing electric operation.

“In addition to enhancing the onboard experience for our passengers, this investment is a further demonstration of our commitment to delivering a sustainable and environmentally friendly bus network, while supporting TfL’s long-term vision for London.”

The post Arriva orders 34 Wrightbus Electroliners for London appeared first on theenergyst.com.

The Volvo B5TL buses that have been identified for the pilot will be repowered using Kleanbus’ modular electric platform featuring an optimised battery size to perfectly suit its duty cycle without overburdening the vehicle with unnecessary weight, which would otherwise waste energy.

The Kleanbus repower programme begins with a full base vehicle evaluation and analysis of operator duty cycles, enabling a conceptual drivetrain to be modelled and validated through simulation.

In parallel, the diesel engine and all associated systems are removed. The packaging space is fully CAD scanned and digitised to create a bespoke electric e-drivetrain in a box platform that perfectly fits the engine compartment. Once prototypes are created, they are subjected to a rigorous test and validation programme ahead of certification.

Lothian recently published ‘Driving towards Net Zero’, a document which outlined its objective of a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2035, with repowering playing a key role.

Colin Barnes, Engineering Director, Lothian said, “Repowering has a vital role to play in our Driving towards Net Zero strategy as we transition to an all-zero emission fleet.

“Lothian is committed to bolstering the efforts of the Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council to enhance local air quality.

“Working with Kleanbus to upcycle current diesel buses to electric helps us to accelerate our transition to a more environmentally friendly transportation network at pace and accelerate our net zero plan.”

Joe Tighe, Co-founder, and CEO of Kleanbus, said, “Our technology is an ideal solution for quick, cost-effective, and optimum use of resources.

“Upcycling is the most environmentally friendly solution to transform a current diesel fleet as it avoids unnecessary scrappage.”

The post Kleanbus repowering diesel buses to electric for Lothian appeared first on theenergyst.com.

The 22 Wrightbus Streetdeck Electroliners will be the city’s first electric double-decks as well as Arriva’s first electric double-decks outside London.

They can each carry about 90 passengers and have a range of around 200 miles with a recharge time of two hours 45 minutes.

The vehicles also have enhanced specifications to improve the customer experience such as better onboard lighting, digital customer information screens and USB charging points.

The first of the zero-emission vehicles was delivered in September for driver-training.

Arriva UK Bus and Leicester City Council made a successful joint bid through the Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme to unlock the £11 million worth of investment required to purchase the new buses.

Work is being completed at Arriva’s Thurmaston depot to install chargers and infrastructure for the battery-electric fleet and engineers are being trained about the zero-emission vehicles.

Alistair Hands, Managing Director for Arriva, said, “Welcoming the new Wrightbus electric fleet into Leicester is a game-changing moment in our continued drive to operating a greener, decarbonised bus network.

“It’s our aim to make Arriva UK Bus the best choice for passengers and we know our customers value our progressive attitude towards decarbonising public transport.

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Wrightbus, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with Arriva once again in accelerating its investment in the electrification of its bus fleet and in the drive to zero-emission public transport in the industry.

“All of the buses will be built in Ballymena in Northern Ireland, lending further support to the wider regional economy and allowing us to create green jobs as we continue in our growth.”

The post Arriva rolls out double-deck electric ‘low bridge’ buses in Leicester appeared first on theenergyst.com.

Marketed by Pelican Engineering, the GTe14 will come with a standard battery capacity of 422kWh, designed to offer an estimated range of 200 miles.

There will also be an alternative option of a 563kWh configuration, projected to extend the range to about 280 miles.

The GTe14 will incorporate CATL battery packs and the integration of ZF axles will be seamlessly integrated, complemented by an actively steered tag unit.

The model will come in at 13,970mm in length while also offering a maximum capacity of 61 seats – however, Pelican anticipates that most customers will opt for a slightly reduced seating arrangement of 57.

Notably, the model will also offer a centre sunken toilet alongside compliance with accessibility regulations.

The first vehicle is to be built in September 2023 and will bear a strong resemblance to the existing diesel-powered GT12 two-axle coach.

Yutong recently revealed its TC15E model, a 15m battery-electric coach sharing design elements with the GTe14, but with unique dashboard configuration, and which is now being sold to customers in northern Europe.

Simon Collins, UK Coach sales manager at Pelican said, “The GTe14 is fundamentally a tri-axle, battery-electric version of the GT12.

“Additionally, Yutong’s rear-view camera system also comes with the prototype. With Pelican’s commitment to innovation, we are offering this feature as standard for the GTe14, whilst also leveraging the same 21st-Century equipment that is already established across its existing bus range.”

The post Yutong GTe14 tri-axle electric coach set for UK launch appeared first on theenergyst.com.

It includes 20 new Mercedes-Benz E-Citaro all-electric single deck buses, to be used on the operator’s busy urban route 1 between Harrogate and Knaresborough, route 7 linking Harrogate, Wetherby and Leeds, and rural route 24 between Harrogate and Pateley Bridge

There are also 19 new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400EV fully electric double deck buses, built in Britain, which will be used on the relaunched 36 service linking Ripon, Harrogate and Leeds.

The new vehicle orders follow successful trials of several types of all-electric buses on three varied routes in and around Harrogate, and on its high-frequency Shuttle route linking Bradford and Keighley.

During the trials, the bus operator invited its customers to rate key design features, with feedback incorporated into the specifications of the new buses.

Henri Rohard, Managing Director at Transdev, parent firm of The Harrogate Bus Company said: “In combination with our existing eight Harrogate Electrics-branded Volvo 7900E electric buses, the first of their kind in Britain, 47 fully-electric vehicles are now expected to be in service in Spring 2024.

“Higher power output delivered by today’s new generation batteries means each bus can go further between charge-ups – and to make sure we provide a reliable service, our buses will also have top-up charges at Harrogate Bus Station, as they will travel further in a day than the maximum range achievable by fully electric buses.”

The post The Harrogate Bus Company orders 39 electric buses appeared first on theenergyst.com.