Stagecoach has placed an order for 20 of the new Alexander Dennis battery electric Enviro100EV small zero-emission bus, launched earlier this month.
The purchase has been supported by the Scottish Government’s ScotZEB challenge fund and the vehicles are expected to be allocated to operating companies in Scotland in the first half of 2024.
Powered by the Voith Electrical Drive System, the energy stored in its 354kWh batteries gives it a range of up to 285 miles.
Its battery system was developed for Alexander Dennis by its partner Impact Clean Power Technology.
Particular attention has been paid to making it future-proof by allowing easy battery replacement with newer batteries in later life without a need for vehicle modifications.
The Enviro100EV, which is 8.5m long and 2.35m wide, seats up to 25 passengers.
Sam Greer, Chief Operating Officer for Stagecoach, said, “Acquiring the new Enviro100EV reaffirms our commitment to our customers experience while also bringing us a step closer to realising our goal of being fully Net Zero by 2050.
“Having been involved with these battery-electric buses from the concept phase, we are sure they will establish themselves as a long-serving staple of the Stagecoach fleet.”
Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis President & Managing Director, said, “These next-generation electric buses will be versatile assets for Stagecoach, their expansive range and diminutive road footprint making them equally suited to narrow town streets as winding country lanes.
“It’s a significant technical challenge packaging 354kWh of battery capacity and up to 285 miles of range into such a small vehicle but our engineers have pulled out the Top Trump card once again.”