Collaboration with Alexander Dennis gives a range of funding options to suit all, it states
Scania expects 2017 to be a watershed year for biogas buses. Quotations for new vehicles now split equally between diesel and the carbon-neutral renewable, with Manager – Fleet Sales Mark Oliver saying that it continues to make biogas more attractive to operators regardless of their size.
He adds that funding arrangements with fuel suppliers the Gas Bus Alliance (GBA) and Roadgas, along with vehicle funding and repair and maintenance packages in conjunction with bodybuilder partner Alexander Dennis (ADL), mean that both the double- and single-decker vehicles are now fully commercially viable.
“Scania and ADL offer leasing packages and comprehensive repair and maintenance agreements of periods to suit the buyer,” says Mr Oliver.
“Additionally, our cooperation with the GBA and Roadgas means that fuel supply can be funded via two different mechanisms, again to suit the customer. An operator can either buy the infrastructure outright, or pay for it as part of the pence-per-kg figure.
“Biogas is, and will remain, one of our prime offerings in the bus market. It is environmentally-friendly and it is available on a cost-effective basis now.”
Mr Oliver adds that interest in quotations for biogas buses is reflected in the demonstration programme for the Enviro400CBG biogas-fuelled double-decker shown at Euro Bus Expo. It will enter service with Arriva North West by early March and has a number of other commitments afterwards.
“As part of the demonstration we will also be supplying a fuelling trailer, which will carry enough biogas for at least one week’s hard work before it needs to be changed.
“Biogas buses have turned a corner. They are no longer regarded as quirky; the industry has come to recognise that biogas is a serious commercial offer.”
