Partners Alexander Dennis (ADL) and BYD have handed over their 500th battery-electric bus to Go-Ahead London at its Waterloo depot.
The Enviro400EV double-decker is one of 20 buses that have joined Go-Ahead’s Transport for London (TfL) route between Walthamstow and Canning Town.
“We were delighted in 2015 when Go-Ahead London embarked upon their journey towards electrification with us, and we’re even more thrilled today as we celebrate the handover of the 500th BYD ADL electric bus,” says BYD UK Managing Director Frank Thorpe. “It’s a significant milestone, and not only for the BYD ADL partnership. It demonstrates clearly the commitment of the nation’s capital to decarbonisation, with eMobility playing an increasingly fundamental role in delivering a cleaner transport system for millions of people.
“Operators like Go-Ahead London, with the BYD ADL partnership in support, really are leading the charge.”
Adds John Trayner, Go-Ahead London Managing Director: “It is fitting that this significant milestone took place at Waterloo, our global award-winning all-electric bus garage. Waterloo pioneered electric bus technology in 2013 and it quickly proved reliable in the capital’s high frequency and demanding stop/start operating environment.
“Along with the Mayor, TfL and other important infrastructure partners, we are seamlessly transitioning the capital’s iconic red bus fleet to deliver a zero-emission public transport offering. Congratulations to the BYD ADL partnership on reaching 500 electric bus deliveries.”
Go-Ahead, the launch partner for ADL and BYD’s first battery-electric offering in 2015, is now believed to operate the country’s largest electric bus fleet, and accounts for nearly half of the 500 BYD ADL electric vehicles delivered so far.
The BYD ADL partnership says it has already taken firm orders for the next 500 electric buses, which are expected to be delivered over the next year.