Arrival electric bus trials begin
Arrival has started trials of its electric bus at a testing facility in the UK.
The Arrival Bus will be going through rigorous validation and testing ahead of certification.
The first Arrival Bus features up to three doors, with flexible passenger seating capacity across the entire flat floor, which according to the manufacturer allows for greater accessibility, as well as creating more usable standing space and the ability for passengers to travel more comfortably. The vehicle also has wrap-around exterior and interior screens, adaptable lighting, a transparent roof and a suite of digital features. The Bus uses in-house components that are also found on the Arrival Van and Car, and Arrival’s lightweight recyclable composite materials. This, alongside common suspension and the wheels and tyres at front and rear, means the Bus is estimated to be lighter than other battery-electric buses in the market today, according to Arrival.
Following proving ground trials, Arrival will commence public road trials of the Bus with First Bus in the first quarter of 2022. The trials will see Arrival’s vehicles operating on existing First Bus routes in the UK. They were originally due to take place in autumn 2021.
Arrival is expected to begin production of the Bus in the second quarter of 2022.
The Bus, like all of Arrival’s vehicles, are to be built in local Microfactories. Arrival expects the Bus will reduce costs for operators, making the transition to electric vehicles more economically viable. Using Arrival’s software ecosystem, the vehicle enables ‘full connectivity, digital customisation, and deep access to vehicle behaviour and data’.
The Bus can be tailored to meet local needs with its modular design, which enables configuration of length, range, battery and passenger capacity.
“We’ve seen a strong interest in the Bus this year” – Franck Dessenis, Vice President of Bus Platform, Arrival
Franck Dessenis, Vice President of Bus Platform, Arrival, said: “This is a key milestone for Arrival and we’re thrilled to have started proving ground trials, where the Bus is currently going through testing, ahead of EU certification and public road trials next year. We’ve seen a strong interest in the Bus this year, specifically from governments who are looking to upgrade their public transportation networks, in order to achieve their zero-emission pledges. We’re partnering closely with governments, cities, and operators to build infrastructure solutions and seamless mobility services for local communities to support their clean energy targets.”
President, Arrival, Avinash Rugoobur, said: “This marks an important day as all of our milestones for 2021 have been achieved. We now look forward to bringing our vehicles, led by the Bus, to the market beginning in 2022, built by our Microfactories and helping to make the air cleaner around the world.”