Volvo Buses will deliver nearly 30 more BZL Electric single deckers to Metroline for its north west London operations from the first quarter of 2024.
All 28 of the new 10.8-metre buses will be bodied by MCV to Transport for London specifications, with twin double doors and 29 seats.
The vehicles will operate on two routes, including the 316 Metroline route from Cricklewood to White City, and the 228 from Central Middlesex Hospital and Maida Hill, which Metroline is taking responsibility for from January 2024.
The new fleet, powered by 200 kW low-loss electric motors, will feature a two-stage automated gearbox which helps to increase wheel torque at low speed and evens out current peaks, which in turn reduces energy usage and driveline wear.
It marks Metroline’s second electric order with Volvo Buses, having signed an initial agreement for 48 BZL Electric single deckers last November, with the first due to arrive on fleet this summer.
The vehicles will be supported locally by mobile Field Service Technicians working out of the Volvo Truck and Bus Centre London North and London Heathrow dealer points, situated in Enfield and Hayes respectively.
Adrian Jones, Group Engineering Director at ComfortDelGro (UK), the parent company of Metroline, said: “We continue to make significant investments to introduce more electric buses into our operation, and this latest order demonstrates the confidence we have in Volvo Buses and the aftersales support it provides.”
