BYD and Alexander Dennis (ADL) are to provide 51 new electric buses for London. The £19 million deal will see the capital’s first large-scale, zero-emission, single deck bus fleet with Go-Ahead London.
The single largest fleet of full size electric buses in Europe, it will consist of 51 emission-free vehicles and operate between Waterloo and Victoria on routes 507 and 521.
BYD is providing chassis and electric drivetrain for the buses, while all 51 will be bodied by ADL, using its Enviro200-like midi bus design.
Go-Ahead London expects to introduce the fleet into service by the end of August 2016. The move follows a recent announcement from Transport for London that it would electrify central London routes 507 and 521 as part of its drive to make all of its single deck buses emission-free by 2020.
Isbrand Ho, Managing Director of BYD Europe, said, “Working with our partners at ADL, we can provide a truly optimised blend of expertise. Our experience of battery technology and battery management systems and driveline components necessary to deliver unequalled range and reliability are matched to ADL’s strong track record in building low weight, attractive and durable buses.”
Colin Robertson, CEO of ADL, commented, “Technology is at the forefront of everything we do and this unique alliance with BYD represents a quantum leap into the future. Our combined strengths and, critically, the unified aftermarket support we are putting in place to support Go-Ahead London in the long-term, represents a fundamental ingredient of our combined business philosophy.”
