A new fleet of electric buses has been launched in Coventry for service 9/9A between Green Lane and the University Hospital via the city centre
Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) and BYD Europe have supplied 10 electric double-deck buses to National Express for operation in Coventry, as part of a wider investment in 29 zero-emission BYD ADL Enviro400EV double-deckers. The batteries on the vehicle and charging infrastructure will be maintained by Zenobe Energy, one of the UK’s largest owner-operators of mobile and stationary batteries.
The buses will be used on routes linking the city centre and University Hospital. Built to National Express’ Platinum standard, the 10.9m Enviro400EVs offer extra legroom for up to 65 seated passengers as well as USB chargers and free WiFi. An advanced heat pump system ensures that saloon heating power is supplied efficiently from the main batteries without unduly impacting operational range. To simplify the transition to electric buses for National Express, the 382kWh BYD iron phosphate batteries on each vehicle are maintained by Zenobe Energy, who provides them to the operator along with the charging system at the depot and a software platform which helps monitor and optimise energy use. Coventry’s new fleet of 10 electric double-deckers follows 19 similar vehicles for Birmingham supplied earlier in the year.
David Bradford, Managing Director of National Express Bus, said: “Buses are already one of the cleanest ways to travel and as a leading transport operator we are determined to go even further. Earlier this year we announced our ambition to have a zero-emission bus fleet from 2030, so we’re very proud that National Express is bringing fully electric buses to the people of Coventry. By working together in partnership we are determined to improve bus services and drive down pollution and emissions which contribute to poor air quality and climate change.”
ADL’s President & Managing Director, Paul Davies, said: “With the market’s widest range of clean buses, we have been able to meet National Express Group’s fleet requirements as it begins the transition from buying diesel to zero-emission buses, allowing us to grow our longstanding relationship. We look forward to continuing to support National Express as it moves towards the bold target of having a fully zero-emission bus fleet in the West Midlands by 2030.”
