National Express has confirmed it has placed all 130 of its latest battery-electric buses into operation in Coventry as part of the government £140 million “all-electric bus city” project.
The BYD Alexander Dennis Enviro400 double-deckers have already completed 2.5 million miles since introduction in August, saving 4,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, according to the operator.
The project was partly funded by the £50 million secured by West Midlands Combined Authority when the Department for Transport selected Coventry and Oxford as the first “all electric bus cities” in 2021. Charging infrastructure – supplied by Zenobe – was also covered.
Added to the 10 electric double-deckers delivered to National Express Coventry in 2020, which were supported by £2.2 million in Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme funding, the operator’s fleet in the city is now 80% zero-emission and on course for the full transformation by 2025.
Attending the official launch was Alex Jensen, Chief Executive Officer of National Express UK and Germany. She says: “We’re incredibly proud to play our part in making Coventry the UK’s first All-Electric Bus City. By working together with our partners at TfWM, Coventry City Council and Zenobe, we have made great progress in creating a greener and more efficient public transport system for our customers.“As we have some of the cheapest ticket fares in England, alongside flexible ticketing, our customers can have the confidence that they are doing their bit for the planet when they ditch the car and travel by bus.” The latest batch charge within four hours and have a range of up to 175 miles.Roads Minister Richard Holden MP, adds: “Backed by our funding, Coventry’s plans to create the UK’s first All-Electric Bus City will help connect communities across the city, helping to grow the economy whilst making bus journeys cleaner with British made buses.”
