BYD UK and Alexander Dennis (ADL) have delivered four new 10.2m Enviro200EV electric buses to Nottinghamshire County Council, the first two of which have now entered service in Mansfield.
These are the first BYD ADL electric buses in this 10.2m size and specification to be delivered to a customer outside of London. In an official ceremony on 10 December, the first two of the four zero-emission battery-electric buses to join Nottinghamshire County Council’s expanding fleet of ECOconnect buses were handed over. The buses will be operated by Stagecoach East Midlands, as part of the Council’s commitment to climate change and its objectives to provide cleaner, greener travel for residents in Nottinghamshire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
The new buses represent the second electric bus order from Nottinghamshire County Council, which first introduced a pair of 10.8m BYD ADL Enviro200EV buses to its fleet in 2018. The council said that their reliability and efficiency were the catalyst for the second order for four more 77-passenger capacity buses.
In addition to funding from the Department of Transport’s Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme (ULEBS), real estate developer Lindhurst Group has contributed towards the running of two of the new buses, which will operate on the Berry Hill Flyer route 240 in Mansfield. This serves the new Berry Hill development, connecting the new community to a variety of key locations in and around the town centre. The remaining two buses are expected to enter service elsewhere in Nottinghamshire in the new year.
Nottinghamshire County Council Leader, Councillor Ben Bradley MP, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to add more ultra-low emission buses to serve the people of Mansfield and to help reduce our carbon footprint. I announced a climate emergency pledge at the start of the new administration; this is something I am totally committed to. Zero-emission buses will help drive forward the county’s progress on its net zero ambitions. I want to make greener travel the convenient choice so people can leave their cars at home.
“I’m ambitious to transform bus services across the county and by working in partnership we can access our share of the Government’s £3bn funding. So far we have invested £2.4 million in six electric buses and charging infrastructure, all of which produce zero exhaust emissions meaning that residents and passengers will benefit from cleaner air along the routes.”
Matt Cranwell, Stagecoach East Midlands Managing Director, added: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside Nottinghamshire County Council to help deliver a new eco-friendly bus service to the Mansfield area. The Berry Hill Flyer forms part of our commitment to support targets to reduce emissions and provide a cleaner, healthier environment.”
Frank Thorpe, Managing Director, BYD UK, commented: “We are thrilled that Nottinghamshire County Council has once again selected BYD ADL electric buses for its ECOconnect fleet, and we commend all stakeholders on their commitment to green, clean zero-emission travel in the area. This is the first time that our we have delivered 10.2m eBuses outside of London, and we are confident they are going to be warmly received by the people of Mansfield. Our electric bus partnership with ADL brings together our strengths in our respective fields and enables us to offer a complete pure-electric solution for public transport; one that is safe, reliable and efficient, while providing a comfortable passenger experience.”
ADL’s Sales Account Manager Lee Salt said: “It is great to see Nottinghamshire County Council’s continued investment in zero-emission buses. It is only fitting that a new community like Berry Hill should be served by the latest and most environmentally-friendly British-built buses, which ensure that skilled jobs and apprenticeships are supported at our facilities as well as across our extensive domestic supply chain. We look forward to seeing the next two buses on the road and supporting their operation with our best-in-class aftermarket provision.”
