Alexander Dennis will continue the rollout of what it terms “a global zero-emission vehicle platform” through an initial batch of 10 battery-electric Enviro500EV tri-axle double-deckers for Hong Kong operator KMB.
The order represents ADL’s first zero-emission double-deck business in the Asia Pacific market. It will see vehicle delivery during 2023. The OEM will fully integrate the driveline in-house and, it says, the buses will “introduce a striking new design language reflecting their zero-emission credentials.”
Each Enviro500EV for KMB will carry up to 130 passengers. They will have what ADL describes as “new and innovative features” for efficiency, safety and comfort.
While fuller specification details are awaited, an ADL spokesperson says that the buses will not utilise the same driveline as fitted to those Enviro500EVs already built for the North American market. The latter product, which uses Proterra batteries with around 650kW/h of energy storage, is “a standalone development.”
However, the KMB Enviro500EVs will share key suppliers and components with ADL’s Enviro400FCEV hydrogen fuel cell-electric double-decker for the UK market, as part of the manufacturer’s advancement of a global zero-emission platform. In battery-electric format, the platform will “in general” facilitate both plug-in and opportunity charging solutions, the spokesperson continues.
Adds ADL President and Managing Director Paul Davies: “We are delighted that KMB is continuing its commitment to innovation by choosing ADL for the development of an electric double-decker that will meet Hong Kong’s demanding operational requirements.
“With the next generation of electric bus technology, fully integrated by our own engineers, we are now in a position to deliver a zero-emission solution for Hong Kong’s world class transport system.”
