Five years ago, Alexander Dennis (ADL), a subsidiary of global bus manufacturer NFI Group, formed a partnership with BYD UK to build electric buses, using BYD’s battery-electric driveline technology and ADL’s British-built, customizable bodies. There are now over 400 BYD ADL electric buses operating in London alone, and another 300 vehicles are on order.
Now RATP Dev London, one of Transport for London (TfL)’s principal bus operators, has placed a new order for 195 single- and double-deck vehicles. TfL, which contracts with a number of operators to provide bus service in the capital, plans to make all its vehicles emissions-free by 2037.
Deliveries of the newly-ordered buses will begin in the summer, and RATP Dev London says that almost 25% of its London United and London Sovereign fleet will be fully electric by the beginning of 2022. Some 68 BYD ADL Enviro200EV single-deckers, and 127 BYD ADL Enviro400EV double-deckers will be based at RATP Dev London’s Fulwell, Harrow and Shepherd’s Bush depots.
Catherine Chardon, Managing Director of RATP Dev London, said, “We launched our two first 100% electric routes less than two years ago. By the beginning of 2022, we will operate 15 zero-emission routes, and have 5 of our garages converted to electric.”
“Public transport in the capital often provides the blueprint for other towns and cities, and the fact that a major operator like RATP Dev is making such a substantial commitment to e-mobility will, I believe, resonate with local authorities across the UK,” said BYD UK Managing Director Frank Thorpe. “The increasing electrification of routes by TfL operators is delivering long-term productivity to their fleets and real environmental benefits for Londoners.”
Source: MTDMFG
Source: Electric Vehicles Magazine
