195 electric single and double-decker buses will be delivered to RATP Dev London depots to operate on Transport for London routes
BYD UK and Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) confirmed on Wednesday 16 June that their electric vehicle partnership will deliver the UK’s largest ever electric bus order. The order has been placed by TfL operator RATP Dev London for a total of 195 single and double-deck vehicles.
RATP Dev London said the order confirms its commitment to supporting TfL’s electrification plan for London’s bus network, a key objective of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy for 2018, under which all TfL buses will be zero emissions by 2037, with all of London’s transport becoming emissions free by 2050.
The BYD ADL partnership said the order shows that it continues to go from strength to strength. In London alone, over 400 BYD ADL electric buses have cumulatively covered over 20 million zero-emission miles, with close to another 300 vehicles on order including this latest intake for RATP Dev London.
RATP Dev London expects to be the largest operator of electric buses in London by the beginning of 2022, with close to 25% of its London United and London Sovereign fleet fully electric. Deliveries of its latest BYD ADL fleet will begin in the summer. 68 Enviro200EV single-decks – including 21 compact 10.2-metre models – and 127 Enviro400EV double-decks will be based at RATP Dev London’s Fulwell, Harrow and Shepherd’s Bush depots to serve routes in the west of the capital. They will join 36 existing BYD ADL single-deckers in service since 2018 and 29 double-deckers delivered last year.
Catherine Chardon, Managing Director of RATP Dev London, said: “Electrification is a critical part of our business and partnership with TfL. We launched our two first 100% electric routes less than two years ago, as well as London’s first fully electric 24-hour double-decker bus route last year. By the beginning of 2022, we will operate 15 zero-emission routes and have five of our garages converted to electric. This agreement will help RATP Dev London position itself as the leading electric bus services provider in the city. We are proud to work hand in hand with TfL to help London achieve its sustainability goals.”
BYD UK Managing Director Frank Thorpe said: “Naturally, this is a hugely significant moment in the development of the BYD brand in the UK. Public transport in the capital often provides the blueprint for other towns and cities and the fact that a major operator like RATP Dev is making such a substantial commitment to e-mobility will, I believe, resonate with local authorities across the UK. The increasing electrification of routes by TfL operators is delivering long-term productivity to their fleets and real environmental benefits for Londoners.”
Paul Davies, ADL President & Managing Director, said: “RATP Dev London’s record order is a resounding vote of confidence in our British-built electric buses and ADL’s proven ability to tailor these to authorities and operators’ requirements. These buses will build on our pioneering work in support of Transport for London’s Bus Safety Standard with a focus on safety for drivers, passengers and other road users.”
