Alexander Dennis showed the Enviro100EV and next-generation Enviro400EV battery-electric buses as part of its focus on zero-emission at Euro Bus Expo. The former made its debut in Transport for London (TfL) format, and the latter was one of a batch to a high specification for Transdev Blazefield.
Also in focus was the next-generation Enviro200EV single-decker. Details of that product were recently unveiled, and Alexander Dennis marked the show with an order for 13 from Falcon Buses as the first such deal concluded with an independent operator.
Head of Concepts and Advanced Engineering Jamie Wilson says that development of the Enviro200EV has “very much leaned on” the two other models, and that suitability for both slow-speed urban work and higher-paced interurban running formed part of the design brief.
The Voith Electrical Drive System is thus available in either medium- or heavy-duty form in the newcomer, coupled to 400kWh of energy storage. Mr Wilson says that the Enviro200EV is “quite faithful” to the Enviro200 diesel, although the battery-electric will introduce independent front suspension.
Such a fitment will have a benefit in terms of reducing road noise and transmission of surface imperfections, and Alexander Dennis is thus confident that ride quality will improve.
“A lightweight design like the Enviro200EV is more susceptible to rattles from poor road quality, but we have done a lot of work on structural stiffness to mitigate that,” continues Mr Wilson.
“The ‘midi’ concept has been very successful for us in the UK,” he notes, adding that the Enviro200EV is expected to be 1,800kg lighter than its closest competitor that uses full-size 22.5-inch wheels.
Wheels on the Enviro200EV will be smaller, optimising body space; minimising intrusion is a key contributor to maximising seating capacity. In its longest 11.7m form with one door and a single wheelchair user space, the new model will seat up to 43, and 41 with dual wheelchair user areas.
To TfL configuration, Alexander Dennis claims that the Enviro200EV will have between two and five more seats than competitor zero-emission vehicles. Simulation work has led the OEM to predict that the bus will also deliver class-leading range.
