Only a small portion of the order is for purely battery-electric buses — the remaining 177 vehicles are low-emission combustion models. With this order, the number of buses Alexander Dennis supplies to the region’s public transport network grows to around 400.
According to its own statements, Alexander Dennis won four of the six tendered lots, with two therefore going to competitors. The contract also includes options that could increase the volume to 357 buses and £95 million (approx. €110 million). The announcement does not specify how many additional electric buses this might include.
The 30 ordered electric buses are the Enviro100EV, the smallest model in the British manufacturer’s portfolio: a midibus measuring 8.5 metres in length, 2.35 metres in width, and with a turning circle radius of 8.6 metres. The small electric bus can transport up to 45 passengers, including 25 seated.
Propulsion is provided by the Voith Electrical Drive System in the MD configuration, delivering 250 kW peak power and 230 kW continuous power. The NMC battery has a standard capacity of 354 kWh, with an optional 236 kWh version available. The battery can be charged at up to 150 kW, or up to 118 kW in the smaller configuration. Alexander Dennis also offers optional roof rails for pantograph charging at up to 177 kW and 118 kW, respectively. The manufacturer states a range of up to 450 kilometres with the larger battery, or around 300 kilometres with the smaller one. However, the announcement does not reveal which configuration Liverpool has ordered.
