The West Midlands operator has taken delivery of 170 new electric double-deckers to add to those already in service, supported by depot upgrades in collaboration with Zenobē
National Express West Midlands has placed 170 new Alexander Dennis Enviro400 electric double-deckers in service as part of a £95 million investment to modernise its bus fleet, supported by electrification specialist Zenobē. Bus Strategy and Commercial Director at National Express West Midlands Antony Goozee said: “Replacing our diesel buses with electric vehicles and modernising our depots are key steps in our journey towards operating a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2030. These new clean, green double-decker buses are not just about improving efficiency and reducing our environmental impact, they also deliver a better experience for our passengers with quieter, smoother, and more comfortable journeys.”
In addition to the new vehicles, the operator has completed a major infrastructure upgrade of its Yardley Wood depot. Originally built in 1938, the depot has been modernised with the installation of charging infrastructure as part of ongoing efforts to future-proof its operations and ensure long-term sustainability in its services. The electricity to power the buses will be 100% renewable and zero carbon.
Supporting this transition is EV fleet and battery storage specialist Zenobē, providing an end-to-end Electric Transport as a Service (ETaaS) solution which includes financing the vehicles and the on-board batteries, to guarantee their performance while in use and replace them at the end of their first, usable life. The fleet specialist has also installed rapid chargers and integrated its proprietary software platform to help monitor and optimise energy use, as well as parts and operational support.
The buses are powered by renewable energy, with additional support of a second-life battery installed at the depot by Zenobē. Repurposed from old electric bus batteries that have come to the end of their first life, the second-life battery ensures that all buses are charged sufficiently by releasing stored energy during peak charging periods whilst minimising strain on the local electricity grid. Co-founder and Director of Zenobē Steven Meersman said: “Today marks another important step forward in National Express’s journey toward a zero-emission fleet by 2030 and Zenobē is proud to be a key partner in that transformation. From procuring the vehicles and on-board batteries to designing and managing the charging infrastructure, we’ve developed a tailored, end-to-end solution that aligns with National Express’s ambitions and supports their long-term operational goals.”
