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Alexander Dennis presents next-gen Enviro400EV

Bus & Coach
Alexander Dennis has unveiled the first next-generation Enviro400EV battery-electric double decker built to Transport for London (TfL) specification.
(Image credit: Alexander Dennis)

The Enviro400EV for London is fitted with 472kWh batteries as standard, which the manufacturer is now able to warrant for 14 years or 1 million km, whichever comes first, under normal operating conditions in the capital.

According to Alexander Dennis, this allows the zero-emission bus to cover two consecutive seven-year route contracts without a need for battery replacement, contributing to a low total cost of ownership.

The batteries can be fully charged in three hours through a DC plug connection, or even faster with optional roof-mounted connector rails for pantographs. Energy from the batteries powers the Enviro400EV through the heavy-duty version of the Voith Electrical Drive System, which has shown efficiency of just 0.67kWh/km over the UK Bus Cycle in Zemo Partnership zero-emission bus certification.

Ben Werth, group sales & business development director for Alexander Dennis, explained: “For the TfL Enviro400EV, there is a design sweet spot that optimises available energy and therefore range, as well as vehicle efficiency, length, weight and passenger capacity. In addition to detailed route analysis, we have conducted extensive tests with our supply partners at the cell, module, pack and vehicle level, which have shown that 99% of London routes can be fully serviced with our 472kWh battery.

“This is backed by a fantastic 14-year battery warranty that gives TfL-contracted operators peace of mind by covering the full duration of two consecutive route contracts. This means our Enviro400EV for London meets range requirements whilst achieving highly attractive total cost of ownership and providing commonality and serviceability across the wider electric bus fleet.”

A 354kWh battery capacity version is also available to maximise customer choice for routes where range is not as critical and increased passenger capacity or lower capital investment may be more important factors. Alexander Dennis provides computer simulation of any routes to be operated and can provide recommendations on the best-fit solution for specific routes.

The next-generation Enviro400EV for London is 10.5m long, with a shorter wheelbase aiding manoeuvrability in the capital’s dense traffic and giving it a tight 10.1m turning radius. It has TfL’s standard interior layout with a wheelchair bay accessed via an electric ramp at the centre doors. It seats 62 passengers on high-backed seats, with rear rows on both decks reduced to four seats to increase passenger comfort. Total capacity is up to 87 passengers with 472kWh batteries, or up to 96 passengers with 354kWh batteries.

Alexander Dennis has worked with TfL to ensure the Enviro400EV meets the latest iteration of the capital’s pioneering Bus Safety Standard. It was confirmed as the first vehicle to meet pedestrian head-impact requirements.

Alexander Dennis has also engineered the Enviro400EV to meet UN Regulation 155 on cyber security and cyber security management.

The first London-specification Enviro400EV is a demonstrator which will be made available to operators upon completion of its homologation and certification later this year.

The next-generation Enviro400EV for London will be followed by the Enviro100EV “big small bus”, designed to fit TfL’s smallest size of single decker. Orders for both have been taken from London operators. The Enviro200EV single decker is now under development and will cover all other TfL vehicle requirements.

Werth commented: “This week’s launch is the first step in bringing the next generation of zero-emission buses to the capital. We’re not stopping here, with further models in preparation and our future battery roadmap showing growth in battery density, which points towards needing fewer batteries in future to deliver the same total energy at an even better total cost of ownership.”

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