news

BYD and ADL form alliance to supply London’s first pure electric bus fleet

Posted: 4 August 2015 | Katie Sadler, Digital Content Producer, Intelligent Transport

Vehicle manufacturers BYD and Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) have signed an agreement to produce London’s first-large scale, zero-emission, single deck bus fleet. The £19 million contract will introduce 51 emission-free, pure electric buses on routes 507 and 521 operated by Go-Ahead between Waterloo and Victoria. The vehicles are to be built on BYD chassis and […]

BYD and ADL form alliance to supply London’s first pure electric bus fleet

Vehicle manufacturers BYD and Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) have signed an agreement to produce London’s first-large scale, zero-emission, single deck bus fleet.

BYD and ADL form alliance to supply London’s first pure electric bus fleet

The £19 million contract will introduce 51 emission-free, pure electric buses on routes 507 and 521 operated by Go-Ahead between Waterloo and Victoria.

The vehicles are to be built on BYD chassis and powered by the manufacturers’ Iron-Phosphate Battery technology and drivetrain system. All 51 buses will incorporate ADL’s Enviro200 midi bus design. The agreement also includes a full on-site repair and maintenance programme for the term of the contract.

In an announcement made on the 29th July 2015, Go-Ahead revealed all 51 buses are expected to enter service by 27 August 2016, signalling the introduction of London’s first, large-scale pure electric bus fleet. The move follows a statement from Transport for London (TfL) in early July announcing that it would electrify central London routes 507 and 521 as part of its drive to make all of its single deck buses emission-free by 2020.

Both manufacturers have heralded the collaboration as a major step into the UK pure electric bus market.

Isbrand Ho, Managing Director of BYD Europe, said: “Working together with our partners and friends at ADL we can provide a truly optimised blend of expertise. Our deep experience of not only battery technology but the critical battery management systems and driveline components necessary to deliver unequalled range and reliability are matched to ADL’s strong track record in building low weight, attractive and durable buses. This combination will deliver a unique vehicle which we believe will have a strong appeal in London and elsewhere in the UK”.

Colin Robertson, CEO of ADL, commented: “Technology is at the forefront of everything we do and this unique alliance with BYD represents a quantum leap into the future. Our combined strengths and, critically, the unified aftermarket support we are putting in place to support Go-Ahead London in the long-term, represents a fundamental of our combined business philosophy. The backing of Go-Ahead – in the form of this £19m contract – is a huge confidence booster and we are delighted to have emerged alongside BYD as the preferred bidder in what was a highly competitive process involving a raft of global competitors. I see this new initiative as a major turning point for ADL and our new technology partner, BYD.”

Richard Harrington, Engineering Director of Go-Ahead London, added: “We are delighted to have placed this order with BYD and have every confidence that along with ADL they will deliver exactly what they promise, that is, the world’s most advanced, zero-emission, pure electric bus fleet – and one that will match the rigorous demands of the London operating environment. Go-Ahead is constantly striving to stay at the forefront of technology and to make a major contribution in the reduction of emissions and pollutants. This is a considerable step towards a cleaner, greener London bus fleet.”