Volvo Buses has secured orders for 189 new electric Volvo BZL Electric double decker and single decker buses that will operate in Stockport and London.
Stagecoach will take deliveries of some 170 Volvo BZL Electric buses for Stockport from the summer of 2024, representing the manufacturer’s biggest ever electric bus order.
The 150 double deckers and 20 single deckers will feature MCV bodywork built to Transport for Manchester specifications.
In addition, Stagecoach has ordered 19 Volvo BZL Electric single deckers for operation in London, which are expected to enter service by early 2024.
The latest orders take Stagecoach’s investment in Volvo BZL Electric buses up to 244 vehicles, becoming the OEM’s largest electric bus customer.
It follows the delivery of 25 single deck Volvo BZL Electrics to Stagecoach in Scotland in March, and with 30 double deck buses due to enter service in Cambridge this month.
The Volvo BZL Electric is available in the UK with bodywork developed in partnership with MCV, with tailored specifications able to meet the needs of local fleets.
Lengths are offered from 9.7m to 12.9m, with a low-entry full low floor option, together with models featuring either single or twin door configurations.
Sam Greer, Engineering Director at Stagecoach, said: “We’re excited to be announcing our largest electric vehicle order to date, which will be a major step forward in improving air quality locally.
“This builds further on the investment being made by Stagecoach across the country to support the transition to a zero-emission bus fleet.”