Alexander Dennis has revealed more details of its next addition to its new generation of buses, the Enviro200EV electric single-decker. The vehicle is due to hit the roads in 2025, with launch customers already identified.

Described as an all-rounder, the bus fits between the smaller Enviro100EV and double-deck Enviro400EV.

Chris Gall, Group Engineering Director at Alexander Dennis, said its design adheres to Alexander Dennis’s philosophy of offering ‘light weight, very capable, very high passenger-capacity product’: “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it – we’re not planning to change any of the features that make it one of Britain’s best-selling buses. But we are of course integrating it into the Enviro EV family. It will have a lot of the same parts, the same toolkit. The face of the bus is in common with the rest of the line up. That’s deliberate, to give operators a great operational benefit – so there is not so many parts in the depot, it’s a single fix to resolve all problems on all of the buses.”

It will be available in lengths from 9.9m, 10.9m and 11.7m, similar to the existing Enviro200, while maintaining a short front and rear overhang for maximum manoeuvrability. Chris claims it has the highest total passenger capacity in its segment for its length, with potential capacity 43 seated and 92 standees in the 11.7m version. In TfL specification, it is expected to seat 34 and have a maximum capacity of 78. It has been designed with smaller wheels for a lower height and to maximise the room onboard for passengers with a maximised flat-floor space. Creating a light vehicle structure has been focused on to reduce the mass by 1,800kg compared to heavyweight single-deckers, requiring less energy to move it.

Like the rest of the EV range, the Enviro200EV uses a Voith electric drive system. While the Enviro400EV uses the heavy-duty version of this motor and the Enviro100EV uses the medium duty variety, the Enviro200EV has the option of using either. As standard, it will be fitted with the medium duty motor. But for routes where there is a specific requirement for gradeability or high speed, Alexander Dennis is able to package and use the heavy-duty motor.

The Enviro200EV is to be powered by a 400kWh LFP battery system from CATL, which Alexander Dennis says has the best balance of attributes for the single-decker. It should offer up to 1.4GWh warrantable energy throughput over ten years.

Chris said on the topic of battery choice: “We’re not wedded to a specific supplier or chemistry, we want what’s best for the application.”

Contemporary, comfortable, safe

A new, contemporary interior is to feature on the Enviro200EV, with Chris reporting the colour tones will provide more warm and welcoming appearance. Its ‘distinct styling lines’ are designed to match the interior appearance of the bus with exterior. In particular, Alexander Dennis has focused on the front-door area, with Chris saying: “It’s all about customers’ handshake with the bus. Similar to the car industry, it’s about that first impression. If it gives a positive impression in terms of the ambience and lighting and material, then it gives a positive feeling about the rest of the bus. It’s very important. When you see the product in the flesh, you’ll appreciate what we’ve done there.”

It has been carefully engineered to minimise noise on the bus, to assist passenger comfort. This is part of the manufacturer’s focus on delivering a ‘wow factor’ in terms of the way the bus feels, with Chris saying: “That started in the Enviro400EV and we carried it across to the small bus and now the Enviro200.”

Small improvements have been made to the driver’s cab, based on driver feedback.

The new bus will have the exact same front end as the rest of the EV family, with the same focus on safety that made TfL the first OEM to deliver a five-star head impact score with TfL.

Chris said: “We’re allowing operators to really maximise their in-service profitability by giving a bus that’s very lean, efficient and offers a great passenger experience.”

A digital tour around the features of the bus will be available at Alexander Dennis’ Discovery Theatre at the Euro Bus Expo. However, the manufacturer says it is too early to reveal any of the actual hardware at the show.

• Look out for more from Alexander Dennis in the next issue of Bus and Coach Buyer (1688, 18 October 2024).