Arrival started proving ground trials on schedule in Q4 2021 with vehicles going through testing ahead of certification and public road trials later this year planned
Arrival has started trials of its new battery-electric Bus at a testing facility in the UK, where the vehicles will be going through rigorous validation and testing ahead of certification.
Arrival promises that its new Bus will create a ‘new and improved public transportation experience for all users – from the drivers and passengers to the engineers, cleaners, and fleet owners – and reduce costs for operators, making the transition to electric vehicles more economically viable.’ The vehicle uses Arrival’s software ecosystem, enabling full connectivity, digital customisation, and deep access to vehicle behaviour and data, and can be tailored to meet local cities’ needs with a modular design, which enables configuration of length, range, battery, and passenger capacity.
“This is a key milestone for Arrival and we’re thrilled to have started proving ground trials, where the Bus is currently going through testing, ahead of EU certification and public road trials next year,” said Franck Dessenis, Vice President of Bus Platform, Arrival. “We’ve seen a strong interest in the Bus this year, specifically from governments who are looking to upgrade their public transportat networks, in order to achieve their zero-emission pledges. We’re partnering closely with governments, cities, and operators to build infrastructure solutions and seamless mobility services for local communities to support their clean energy targets.”
“This marks an important day as all of our milestones for 2021 have been achieved. We now look forward to bringing our vehicles, led by the Bus, to the market beginning in 2022, built by our microfactories and helping to make the air cleaner around the world,” said Avinash Rugoobur, President of Arrival.
The Arrival Bus features up to three doors, with flexible passenger seating capacity across the fully flat floor, allowing for greater accessibility and creating more usable standing space. The vehicle also has wrap-around exterior and interior display screens, adaptable lighting, a transparent roof, and a suite of digital features. The Bus uses in-house components that are also found on the Arrival Van and Car, and Arrival’s lightweight recyclable composite materials. This, alongside common suspension, the wheels and tyres at front and rear, means Arrival estimates the Bus to be lighter than other battery-electric buses in the market.
Following proving ground trials, Arrival will commence public road trials of the Bus with First Bus in Q1 of this year. The trials will see Arrival’s vehicles operating on existing First Bus routes in the UK. Arrival is expected to begin production for the Bus in the second quarter of the year.
