Liverpool City Region has placed an order for 58 Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV double-decker buses.
The battery-electric buses, which are part-funded by the £9.4 million allocation from the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas scheme, are expected to enter service later this year.
They will be owned by the combined authority and operated by a commercial operator ahead of the introduction of franchising from 2026 onwards.
Equipped with 472kWh in battery capacity, the Enviro400EV will be built in Britain and support 1,900 jobs and 60 apprenticeships, says Alexander Dennis.
The Enviro400EV fleet will be in addition to an order for 50 electric buses that was announced in September 2024. The manufacturer of those vehicles – paid for with the help of £26.1 million of City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) – has not been released.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, says: “Buses are the backbone of our public transport network – around 80% of all public transport journeys in our region are taken by bus. But for too long, our communities have been left with a second-class service that simply doesn’t work for them.
“That’s why we’re taking back control of our buses and putting the public back at the heart of public transport. These new, state-of-the-art, all-electric double-deckers are another step towards building the London-style transport system our region deserves – one that’s reliable, affordable, and works for the people it’s meant to serve.
“And because they’re built right here in Britain, they’re helping to support thousands of good, well-paid jobs and apprenticeships too. Franchising will be the biggest shake-up to our bus network in decades, but we’re not waiting until 2026 to make things better. Whether it’s capping fares at £2 or investing in cleaner, greener vehicles, we’re getting on with the job of making journeys cheaper, better, and more sustainable for local people.”
Alexander Dennis President and Managing Director, Paul Davies, adds: “We’re honoured to support the team at the combined authority and Mayor Steve Rotheram as they work to further improve bus services across the Liverpool City Region. The 58 new Enviro400EV double-deckers we’re building will cut out tailpipe emissions and offer passengers a smoother, quieter journey. They will also support British jobs and apprenticeships across our own network of facilities as well as in our extensive supply chain, ensuring that public money is reinvested in our economy.”
