Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD and European bus and coach builder Alexander Dennis (ADL) have signed a £19-million ($29.64 million) deal to introduce a large-scale, zero-emission, single-deck bus fleet in London. It is expected to be the single largest fleet of full size electric buses in Europe, the companies have reported in a statement.
The buses to be developed by BYD–ADL will be operated by the transport company Go-Ahead London. Go-Ahead had announced plans to introduce 51 emission-free, pure electric buses on routes 507 and 521 (Waterloo and Victoria).
As part of the deal, BYD will build the chassis and deploy its electric drivetrain — and its long-range Iron-Phosphate Battery — in the 51 buses. In turn, ADL will build the bodies of the buses employing design similar to its Enviro200 model. Enviro200 is a lightweight, easily accessible and manoeuvreable, and fuel efficient design developed by ADL.
The BYD–ADL deal also includes a full on-site repair and maintenance program for the term of the contract.
The emissions-free fleet is expected to be commissioned by August 27, 2016. Earlier this month, Transport for London (TFL), a local transport authority in the British Capital city, had announced that it would electrify central London routes 507 and 521. It was part of the country’s drive to make all its single deck buses emission-free by 2020.
The BYD-ADL buses will have capacity to carry 90 passengers each, the statement added.
In April, BYD, which is partly owned by Warren Buffet’s Hathaway, had secured an order for 10 electric buses from Long Beach Transit Authority.
Long Beach Transit Authority serves portions of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Each bus was to cost $800,000.
Shenzhen-based BYD had opened a bus factory in California a year ago. It was part of the company’s expansion plans into the US, Canadian and Latin American markets.
The Long Beach deal had been the largest order for BYD outside its home market.
Ajith Kumar S