Transport operator Stagecoach has become the first to put electric double decker buses into service in the UK outside of London, by running two in Cambridge.
Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL) and BYD Europe’s electric vehicle partnership has supplied two zero-emission BYD ADL Enviro400EV electric double deck buses that Stagecoach will operate in Cambridge.
ADL and BYD have supplied the buses to Stagecoach for a project between the operator and the Greater Cambridge Partnership, supporting an improvement in air quality in Cambridge city centre and giving the opportunity to inform potential future investment in a zero-emission bus fleet.
Passengers on the Citi 6 route in Cambridge will be the first in the UK regions to benefit when the electric double deckers enter service on Stagecoach’s city network on February 17.
The BYD ADL Enviro400EV is built in ADL’s factories in Great Britain on chassis supplied by its electric bus partner for the UK market, BYD. Stagecoach has opted for the 4.2m low-height version of ADL’s City style body, seating up to 70 passengers on comfortable ADL SmartSeats. The 10.9m long vehicles provide room for a further 13 standees.
Michelle Hargreaves, Stagecoach East managing director, said the introduction of the electric vehicles was a milestone for the company and supports the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s vision to improve air quality: “Over the years we have steadily reduced the environmental impact of our diesel buses and now 32% of the fleet have the most efficient Euro 6 engines,” she said. “The addition of the electric vehicles is a further step forward in our attempts to keep emissions to a minimum. Over the past decade across the UK, Stagecoach has invested more than £1 billion in new greener vehicles and by the end of 2020 it will have one of the biggest electric bus fleets in Europe.”
ADL’s chief executive Colin Robertson added: “Double deckers are the backbone of bus services in Britain. The BYD ADL Enviro400EV enables their electrification, having been designed to provide a viable operational range without compromising the passenger experience. We are delighted that the Greater Cambridge Partnership and Stagecoach are first in the UK regions to enjoy its benefits and make buses an even more sustainable choice.”
