USA
At a Vehicle Innovation Center virtual event, Alexander Dennis (ADL) recently unveiled its Enviro500EV Charge, a North American all-electric version of its double-decker Enviro500. The Enviro500EV Charge features full independent front suspension and an integrated electric drive system tailored to the requirements of the North American transit market. An electric portal axle with hub motors provides propulsion with two 125kW peak power output motors. The drive and auxiliary axles have been switched with power supplied at the third axle, and 648kWh of energy storage is provided by batteries that are integrated in the chassis and the rear of the vehicle to give a low centre of gravity.
The fully air-conditioned bus uses an electric heat pump to provide both heating and cooling, which minimises the amount of energy required, and is fitted with overhead reading lights and air vents, USB ports, and WiFi and multimedia capability. The maximum seating capacity is 82, including 53 on the upper deck.
The Enviro500EV Charge forms part of ADL parent company NFI’s range of zero-emission buses and coaches, alongside New Flyer’s Xcelsior Charge NG and Xcelsior Charge H2, MCI’s J4500 Charge and D45 CRT LE Charge, and the ARBOC Equess Charge. Paul Soubry, NFI President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are excited to have Alexander Dennis join in on producing zero emission bus solutions for North America as this is the very first launch of an Alexander Dennis vehicle at our Vehicle Innovation Center. When acquiring ADL and welcoming the company into NFI Group in May 2019, its strong international growth agenda and double deck platform were extremely interesting to us and today’s launch brings together both of these elements. As NFI Group, we are leading the evolution to zero-emission mobility – Leading the ZEvolution as we like to call it – and Alexander Dennis is a central part of this.”
