In a bid to improve air quality in towns and cities Alexander Dennis (ADL) has announced an extension to its range of hybrid buses – the Enviro400ER.
The Enviro400ER (Electric Range) builds upon ADL’s existing hybrid technology which has been proven in over 1,400 buses across the UK.
The Electric Range bus, developed with BAE systems, introduces all-electric function in addition to the existing hybrid technology of the Enviro400H which it builds upon.
The bus uses a 32kW/h capacity energy storage system of third generation lithium nickel manganese cobalt battery technology (the Enviro400H holds less than 1kW/h). It can run for up to three miles in electric mode – though the exact distance depends on factors such as travel time and route profile.
A key benefit according to Arthur Whiteside, Managing Director (MD) of UK sales at ADL, is that the technology introduces zero emissions capability without affecting daily operational range. He says it “offers a cost-effective way of introducing zero emissions capability with no need to change operational practices.”
Ian Wilson, Director of Business Development at BAE Systems, adds that a benefit is that the battery does not need to be charged externally. He says the system “delivers low emission operation without the complication and expense of charging infrastructure.”
GPS signals are used to create a virtual boundary, called geofencing, which allows the technology to function within pollution hotspots in towns and cities.
Brighton and Hove is the first UK operator to order the new Enviro400ER. 30 Electric Range buses are to join the Go-Ahead Group subsidiary’s fleet later this year. They will run in zero emissions mode in the centre of Brighton.
NFI Group, which owns ADL, supports the widest range of drive systems available in buses and coaches, including clean diesel, natural gas, diesel-electric hybrid, and zero-emission electric. The company supports over 105,000 buses and coaches in service worldwide.
