Alexander Dennis has set a new energy efficiency benchmark for its next-generation Enviro400EV electric double decker, using the Zemo Partnership’s zero-emission bus testing and certification programme.
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.”
