The Alexander Dennis Enviro400FCEV hydrogen fuel cell-electric double-deck bus fleet on order for launch customer the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) debuted at Euro Bus Expo.
20 of the type are due for LCRCA. They will be used by Arriva Merseyside and Stagecoach Merseyside, South Lancashire and Cheshire to convert the city region’s busiest bus route, the 10A between Liverpool and St Helens, to hydrogen power. At 11.1m long they will carry up to 88 passengers with space for two wheelchair users.
A maximum of 29.4kg of hydrogen is stored in 350bar pressure vessels. Ballard has provided the FCmove-HD fuel cell. Alexander Dennis says it can be rated at either 45kW or 60kW “to optimise efficiency, reduce heat rejection and extend fuel cell life.”
The Envir400FCEV also has a 30kW/h battery from Impact Clean Power Technologies, the Polish business that will also supply energy storage for Alexander Dennis’s in-house range of battery-electric buses.
On the Enviro400FCEV the battery provides “on-board buffer storage” between the fuel cell and the motor. The latter forms part of the Voith Electrical Drive System (VEDS).
Alexander Dennis has chosen the heavy-duty variant of VEDS. It is designed to deliver up to 410kW of power, but the vehicle OEM says that in the Enviro400FCEV, output is limited to 350kW. Such an approach will maximise fuel economy while still enabling a high road speed and good hill climbing ability. Expected range is up to 300 miles.
Internally the LCRCA buses are fitted out to a high specification, including wood-effect flooring, colour-coded, high-backed seats and glazing within the roof.
Alexander Dennis says delivery to the Combined Authority will begin “in the coming weeks.” It will provide whole-vehicle aftermarket support via its AD24 platform.
Speaking about the Enviro400FCEV’s debut, Alexander Dennis President and Managing Director Paul Davies says: “The launch of the Enviro400FCEV signals the start of a new age for our zero-emission buses with our next generation technology platform.
“Using the expertise from earlier prototypes as well as our wider experience as the long-established market leader for greener buses, this is a mature product for an industry that needs customised solutions from a reliable partner.”
