National Express Coventry is trialling a fully electric Volvo bus. The single-deck Volvo BZL Electric demonstrator is currently on loan to the operator, where it is operating on the company’s routes 20, 20A and 20B from Coventry city centre.
Bus Strategy and Commercial Director for National Express Antony Goozee said: “Buses are the most used form of transport in Coventry and the wider West Midlands. Not only do our services play a key role in keeping people connected, they are also critical to driving down harmful emissions. Getting more people to ditch their cars and switch to travelling by bus is vital to tackling climate change and we’re proud to be leading the charge in offering sustainable transport choices in Coventry, with all 140 of our electric double-decker buses producing zero-emissions at the tailpipe.
“As we look ahead to update our single-decker vehicles, it’s great to be working with Volvo to trial their BZL Electric bus and we look forward to better understanding its capabilities and efficiencies under our usual operating conditions.”
Managing Director at Volvo Bus UK & Ireland Domenico Bondi added: “I am pleased to see our sought-after Volvo BZL Electric demonstrator entering service with an operator whose legacy spans decades, and which has such a deep-rooted name within the passenger transport sector. With Coventry’s plans to become the UK’s first all-electric bus city by 2025, the city’s ambitions tie nicely in with our own.
“We’re proud to be able to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide a quieter environment for more and more communities in the UK. I look forward to the continued partnership with National Express, helping to meet our collective goals.”
The single-deck demonstrator features a four-battery configuration offering a total power output of up to 376kWh. It is being charged at the operator’s depot overnight using a 40kW DC mobile charger, provided by Volvo.
