greenbusandcoach June 2022

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June 2022

Issue 439

busandcoach

driving towards a greener future

Latest e-mobility on show in Paris News and analysis of the transition to a zero emission bus and coach sector

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contents

andcoach

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greenbusandcoach

is published by Plum Publishing Ltd

Editorial

Irizar flagship ie tram at Paris European mobility show

Steve Rooney steve.rooney@busandcoach.com

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greenbusandcoach

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6 Van Hool presents latest range of electric buses

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to greenbusandcoachare not necessarily those of the publishers who cannot accept responsibility for such contributions.

11 Daimler appoints new electro-mobility manager for UK

© Plum Publishing Limited 2022

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June 2022

Issue 439

busandcoach

driving towards a greener future

15 Latest e-mobility on show in Paris

1000th ADL BYD electric bus delivered

News and analysis of the transition to a zero emission bus and coach sector

June 2022

greenbusandcoach 3

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ev buses

Irizar e-mobility shows flagship ie tram at European Mobility Expo

IRIZAR e-mobility displayed its flagship 12 m Irizar ie tram at European Mobility Expo in Paris this month. The vehicle is owned

by Orleans Métropole which signed a contract with Irizar e-mobility in April 2020 for the supply of 29 zero-emission Irizar ie tram buses.

This agreement was part of Orleans Métropole’s strategy for the energy conversion of its bus fleet to a fully electric public transport system.

The show vehicle has 22 passenger seats plus two areas for

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wheelchairs/pushchairs and can carry up to 80 passengers. It is equipped with Irizar 355kWh batteries, charged by slow charging in depots.

These buses have been operating on the streets of Orleans since 2022.

In 2016, Irizar e-mobility commissioned the first 100 per cent electric route in Marseilles, involving six Irizar electric buses, and this city has now come back to Irizar a second time for the renewal of its bus f leet. Three years later Amiens saw the larg-

est electric BRT fleet with ultrafast interoperable charging in Europe. That same year, Irizar put two more BRT projects into operation in Aix-en-Provence and Bayonne.

In addition to the orders from Strasbourg and Orleans, Irizar also signed a framework agreement in July 2021 with RATP (La Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens) for the supply of zeroemission electric buses, one of the largest electric bus contracts in Europe. www.irizar-emobility.com

June 2022

hydrogen

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CaetanoBus wins hydrogen tender in France for Les Sables d’Olonne

THE city of Les Sables d’Olonne has ordered two Caetano H2.City Gold, the hydrogen-powered bus from CaetanoBus with Toyota technology. The three-door H2.City Gold is equipped with a Toyota fuel cell with a nominal power of 60kW, an LTO battery with a capacity of 44kWh from the French supplier Forsee

Power, and a Siemens powertrain with a peak power of 180kW. Caeta noBus launched t he H2.City Gold in 2020 and it is in operation in various European cities, with more than 70 units already sold, most of them to the German market. The vehicle is the result of a partnership between Toyota and Caetano, which was

the first company in Europe to use the Japanese manufacturer’s fuel cell technology.

Elsewhere in France, Caetano has also won an order for two H2.City Gold units for RATP DEV in La Roche-Sur-Yon. www.caetanobus.pt

Arriva trials Wrightbus double-deck electric bus in Leicester ARRIVA has conducted a nineday trial of a WrightBus Electroliner double-deck on some of their key routes in Leicester.

Arriva is investing more than £10 million to introduce an initial fleet of 22 electric buses in the city from 2023. The investment is supported by DfT funding for Leicester City Council.

Andrew Godley, commercial June 2022

director, Arriva, says: “This is a very exciting time for Arriva and we’re working closely with Leicester City Council, building on our newly formed Leicester Buses Partnership, in order to help deliver on their sustainable strategic vision.

“In recent years we have already invested significantly in upgrading our Leicester f leet to Euro

6 low-emission engines. This exciting progression towards electric vehicles is new for Arriva in Leicester so securing a demonstrator vehicle will give us valuable insight. Through this 9-day trial, we’ll be putting the electric bus through its paces so we can see what it’s like to drive and maintain.” www.arrivabus.co.uk

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Van Hool presents new range of 100 per cent zero emission buses in Paris

VAN Hool presented a new range of 100 per cent zero emission buses at the Euro Mobility Expo 2022 in Paris. The Van Hool A12 Battery Electric is the first vehicle in a new range of buses in four different lengths (12m, 13m, 18m and 24m) equipped with exclusively zero emission powertrains: battery-electric, fuel cell (hydrogen) and trolley. By the official launch, Van Hool has received 13 orders for a total of 162 buses.

Filip Van Hool, CEO, Van Hool, says: “The intention in designing the new A range was to come up with an eco-friendly (100 per cent zero emissions), comfortable, safe, timeless and sustainable bus range that can be used in urban and regional transport in Europe.

“Our aim was to present an integrated new range to meet the

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high expectations of the transport companies, the drivers and the passengers. Our customers are focusing on greening their fleets and are pursuing zero emissions.

They are tying that to comfort and safety for the users of public transport, a pleasant working environment for the driver and a TCO (total cost of ownership) in order to perform their task profitably.

More than ever, we are ready to play a significant role on the European public transport market.”

Van Hool says the new A range has been specially designed to support a carbon-free future without compromising drivability, passenger comfort or vehicle performance.

The orders received to date for the new A range comprise: • 67 Van Hool A13 battery-electric buses for Tide – Aalborg (DK)

• 36 Van Hool A13 batteryelectric buses for De Lijn – Flanders (B) • 19 Van Hool A12 batteryelectric buses for leaseholders of De Lijn – Groep Waaslandia (B), De Decker – Van Riet (B), Parmentier (B) • 2 Van Hool A12 fuel cell buses for FAHMA – Frankfurt (D) • 4 Van Hool A12 fuel cell buses for Pau (F) • 14 Van Hool A12 fuel cell buses for Réseau Astuce – Rouen (F) • 7 Van Hool A12 fuel cell buses for SMTC90 – Belfort (F) • 7 Van Hool A12 fuel cell buses for Lorient (F) • 6 Van Hool A12 fuel cell buses for Eberswalde (D) www.vanhool.com

June 2022

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business

Go-Ahead Group and Lacroix & Savac target Paris region bus contracts THE Go-Ahead Group and Groupe Lacroix & Savac have entered a strategic partnership to explore opportunities to bid together for public transport contracts in France. Under the partnership, the two companies will target the market for bus services in and around Paris, where the city authorities have begun a process of putting routes out to tender as state-owned Epic RATP will lose its Paris bus monopoly in 2025.

Christian Schreyer, group chief executive, The Go-Ahead Group, says: “Go-Ahead’s strength lies

in running busy commuter transport services, and a key part of our strategy is to explore new opportunities in bus and light rail. With an outstanding track record and deep local knowledge, Lacroix Savac is the perfect partner for us to work with in France.”

Stéphane Guenet, president, Lacroix & Savac, adds: “This partnership will allow us to benefit from Go-Ahead’s expertise in mass transit and in entering urban areas that are newly open to competition”.

Lacroix & Savac Group claims to be the leading independent player

in public passenger transport in Ile-de-France, with a turnover of around €200million and 2,200 employees.It was created from the merger of Ile-de-France operators Savac and Lacroix. www.go-ahead.com

New online membership application process launched for TBF SIGNING up for TBF membership has recently become easier with the introduction of an online application process. It takes just a few minutes to fill in the necessary information and, once approved, the new member will be issued with a membership number and invited to set up their own unique password for use on the MyPage membership portal. Here, they will be able to access and keep up to date all their personal information and records of benefits awarded.

John Sheehy, CEO, TBF, says: “The charity is delighted to be able to offer this latest innovation. It really is quick and easy; the online application process is accessed via the website home page www.tbf.org.uk and click-

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ing on the ‘Join Us’ icon.

“We saw a wave of new members joining online during the first few days of it going live, and those new members are now able to take advantage of the wide range of benefits on offer from TBF – there’s no waiting period.

“We will, of course, continue to accept our standard printed application forms. Our team of eight regional organisers will continue to visit work sites and training schools in order to promote the benefits of being a TBF member and to assist those who find themselves in need of help and support.

So, if you work in the public transport industry in Great Britain, come and join us. Membership is just a click away.”

TBF is a membership char-

ity offering help and support to those who find themselves in need, hardship, or distress.

Membership costs £1.25 a week, covering the prime member, their live-in partner and dependent children. www.tbf.org.uk

June 2022

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ev buses

Karsan showcases electric models at Busworld Turkey 2022

KARSAN exhibited its electric models, ranging from 6m to 18m at Busworld Turkey 2022.

Muzaffer Arpacıoğlu, deputy general manager, Karsan, says: “In 2021, our e-JEST and e-ATAK models became the best-selling electric vehicles of their segment in Europe. This year, we will push for a three-fold growth in our electric vehicle sales. We intend to position the Karsan brand among the top five players in Europe with our electric devel-

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opment vision, e-Volution.”

Karsan showcased the 6m e-JEST, 8m e-ATAK, 12m e-ATA, and 10m and 18m e-ATA models together for the first time.

“The first deliveries of our Karsan e-ATA model, which we launched at the end of last year, were made to Romania at the beginning of this year, and interest in this model is high both in Turkey and abroad,” adds Arpacıoğlu.

“The heart of the automotive industry is changing from inter-

nal combustion engines to electric vehicles. As the first step of this transformation, we first launched our e-JEST model at the end of 2018. Six months later, we launched e-ATAK, and at the end of last year we introduced the e-ATA family, the largest in our electric product range. With this launch, we became the first brand in Europe to offer a fully electric product range of all sizes from 6 to 18m in public transportation.” www.karsan.tr

June 2022

e-mobility

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Daimler Buses appoints ElectroMobility Manager for the UK EVOBUS UK has appointed former Volvo e-mobility specialist Adrian Felton to the position of eMobility Manager for the Mercedes-Benz brand. With more than 23 years experience in the bus industry, Felton takes on responsibility for sales, development and implementation of zero and low-emission city-bus transport solutions for the UK and Ireland.

Felton says: “I am delighted to join EvoBus in the position of eMobility Manager. Having worked within the low and zero emission transport solutions sector for over 15 years, this next step is an incredibly exciting one”.

Jonathan Prime, EvoBus UK sales director, adds: “Adrian’s appointment complements our team with an in-depth knowledge and background in the elec-

tric vehicle industry. We are very excited that he is joining us on this journey as we look to shape the

future of the business”. www.evobus.co.uk

MAN completes 2,500km European electric bus tour across eight countries THE MAN Lion’s City 12 E electric bus completed a journey of around 2,500km through eight European countries ending up in Ireland where it took part in the International Bus Euro Test 2022 in Limerick.

During t he ‘Electrif y ing Europe Tour’, the 12m citybus crossed eight countries in ten days, and consumed a total of 1,763.7kWh of energy - around 0.72kWh per km. The energy for June 2022

the journey under a wide range of conditions was provided by six lithium-ion battery packs (capacity 480kWh) on the roof of the eBus. Recharging was carried out after each daily stage and no intermediate charging was necessary.

“With the tour, our electric bus impressively demonstrates that it is already possible to travel throughout Europe without emissions, reliably and in a manner suitable for everyday use,” says

Rudi Kuchta, head of business unit bus, MAN Truck & Bus. “To this end, our team visited urban metropolises, undertook many overland journeys with a wide variety of topographical conditions, and even crossed an Alpine pass.

“Our Lion’s City E was always reliable and efficient on the road over the approximately 2,500km.” www.man.eu

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First Bus completes UK’s largest rapid EV charging hub at Caledonia depot

GLASGOW is now home to the UK’s largest electric vehicle rapid-charging centre as First Bus completed the transformation of its f lagship Caledonia depot.

Caledonia depot, located in Glasgow’s southside, now has 160 rapid-charging points installed over the last nine months, supporting First Bus’s ambition to be emission-free by 2035.

The depot will not only support First Bus and its growing electric fleet in Glasgow, but will also help other organisations operating in the city to decarbonise their own fleets. With a first-of-its-kind innovation for the transport sector, First Bus is trialling the use of its charging infrastructure to third-party businesses during the day when its buses are out on service.

First Bus now plans to expand the depot further, in partner-

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ship with Ofgem and Scottish Power Energy Networks, with the construction of a new substation.

This will supply enough power to host an additional 200 vehicles and charging points and will see Caledonia depot home to a total capacity of 350 charging points once built.

Scottish minister for transport Jenny Gilruth says: “I am delighted to visit the depot to see the scale of what the largest DC charging centre in UK is now, which has been made possible by £26.3million of Scottish Government investment.

This really is a game changer in our progress towards decarbonising Scotland’s buses.

“Alongside free travel for under22s and over half a billion pounds in long term funding for bus priority infrastructure, we’re putting buses at the heart of Scotland’s just transition to net-zero by helping people to choose to travel more

sustainably.

“We can only achieve that transition by all pulling together.

What’s been achieved at the Caledonia depot is a great example of partnership working with the bus, energy and finance sectors to make the best use of Scottish Government investment.”

Duncan Cameron, managing director, First Bus Scotland, adds: “We are thrilled to announce the completion of our Caledonia depot. It’s a landmark moment on our journey to an entirely zero emissions fleet and a vital step in decarbonising the local environment and improving air quality.”

First Glasgow’s Caledonia depot bus fleet will be 50 per cent electric by December 2022 when it takes delivery of a further 52 electric buses. Glasgow currently has 98 electric buses operating in the city. www.firstbus.co.uk

June 2022

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hydrogen

Wrightbus wins German deal for up to 60 hydrogen buses

WR IGHTBUS has signed a deal with German bus operator Regionalverkehr Köln (RVK) to supply up to 60 Kite Hydroliner single-deck buses over the next two years. The RVK order follows a deal with Australian bus body builder Volgren to supply hydrogen power trains.

The buses for Cologne will be the first integral left-hand drive vehicles that Wrightbus has made and exported since Jo Bamford acquired the firm out of administration in 2019. All of the buses will be fully built at the Wright-

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bus factory in Ballymena.

RVK, which operates bus services in Cologne, claims to have the largest fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses in Europe.

Wrightbus executive chairman, Jo Bamford, says: “This deal is a significant one for us in many ways. Not only is it our first European order since I took over, but it’s also our second international deal in quick succession and it shows that Wrightbus has a huge part to play on the global stage.

“RVK already has a substantial hydrogen fleet so for them to order

from Wrightbus and recognise us as a leader in the sector is hugely gratifying and a testament to the reputation we’ve built up in the zero-emission sector.”

RVK managing director Marcel Frank adds: “We have currently received federal funding to expand our hydrogen bus fleet by 2025. The combination of the most economical offer with a robust service concept is the reason why we placed the order with Wrightbus.“ www.wrightbus.com June 2022

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1000th BYD ADL electric bus joins Stagecoach fleet in Aberdeen

ALEXANDER Dennis Limited and BYD have delivered the 1000th zero-emission bus resulting from their manufacturing partnership. The latest BYD ADL Enviro400EV double decker was part-funded by the Scottish Government and handed over to Stagecoach Bluebird in Aberdeen during Scottish Bus Week.

Sales of the British-built BYD ADL Enviro200EV single-deck and Enviro400EV double-deck have accelerated rapidly as the transition to zero-emission mobility gathers pace in the UK. While it took five years to reach the 500th BYD ADL electric bus, the partnership has delivered its 1000th vehicle a year later.

The latest delivery is the final one in a batch of 22 BYD ADL June 2022

Enviro400EVs which Stagecoach bought for services in Aberdeen with financial support from the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme. Stagecoach has since confirmed an order for an additional 13 electric buses of the same type for Aberdeen following the award of funding through the Scottish Government’s follow-on scheme, the Zero-Emission Bus Challenge Fund.

Peter Knight, managing director, Stagecoach Bluebird, says: “We are all really excited to be sharing BYD ADL’s celebration of delivering its 1000th fully electric bus. Introducing these new vehicles reflects the investment both we and Scottish Government are making thanks to the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme

and the funding made available to support the delivery of the new buses.

“There has never been a more important time to take action to address the climate emergency and play a part in helping Scotland deliver on its net zero ambitions whilst improving local air quality in Aberdeen.”

Frank Thorpe, managing director, BYD UK, adds: “This momentous handover to Stagecoach Aberdeen underlines how BYD ADL electric buses are becoming ‘the eBus brand of choice’ for many operators, as a result of our combined specialist expertise and world-leading technology.” www.alexander-dennis.com www.byd.com

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policy

CPT cautious on end date for diesel buses and coaches CPT is recommending that any Government phase-out date for the sale of non-zero emission buses and coaches needs to recognise the unique challenges of each sector.

Responding to the consultation on buses, CPT said that, with sufficient government funding, more than two thirds of all new bus orders would be zero emission by 2025. This would largely be driven by larger operators meaning any end sale date needs to consider the challenges faced by smaller operators.

CPT head of policy Alison Edwards says: “Despite the challenges of Covid-19 bus operators

have taken the lead on seeking to decarbonise their fleets, but challenges do remain.

“Historically SME operators have had limited access to government funding and there are often challenges with infrastructure deployment at smaller depots.

Therefore, it is vital that the end date for the sale of non-zero emission buses provides SME operators with the time and f lexibility to ensure appropriate and affordable solutions are developed.”

CPT’s response to the call for evidence, in advance of a formal consultation, on an end date for the sale of diesel coaches is more nuanced.

“The most significant challenge

for the sector is the lack of certainty over technology - hydrogen, electric or a combination of both,” adds Edwards. “CPT will continue to work through these options with the Zero Emission Coach Taskforce to build a clearer picture of what the zero emission coach landscape looks like.

“Overcoming range anxiety will also be important to encourage operators to make the switch.

A comprehensive and reliable network of recharging and refuelling infrastructure must be delivered alongside moveable recharging/refuelling depot solutions.” www.cpt-uk.org

FlixBus welcomes new Welsh operator FLIXBUS has confirmed its first partnership with a Welsh operator with Bella Road Services, based in Pontyclun, joining the coach network. While FlixBus has offered travel to several Welsh destinations since its official launch last year, BRS is the first operator from the country to become a partner.

Sergio Alves, CEO, Bella Road Services, says: “We are extremely proud to be selected for this partnership with FlixBus. We are taking seriously our responsibility to ensure FlixBus customers get the best coach travel experience possible. We’ve seen what FlixBus has achieved and are excited to join the network at this early stage to help support

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the same growth in the UK.” The company will operate FlixBus services from London to Heathrow Airport and Cardiff, as well as a new stop at Newport.

Andreas Schorling, managing director, FlixBus UK, adds: “Bella Road Services has quickly established itself as an ambitious and high-quality coach operator, so we’re really excited to develop the partnership as we continue to

invest in Wales as a key growth area on the network”.

This is the fourth new operator partner announcement from FlixBus in the last few weeks, following deals with Berrys, Roselyn Coaches and Hearn’s.

Coach operators interested in hearing more about collaborating with FlixBus should contact partnerships@flixbus.com www.flixbus.com

June 2022

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Eighty four new generation VDL Citeas for Amsterdam in new contract

AMSTERDAM operator GVB is expanding its electric fleet with 84 new generation VDL Citeas for delivery from 2023 onwards.

The framework contract includes an option for a further 130 new VDL Citeas.

VDL Bus & Coach will deliver 30 articulated new generation VDL Citeas of type LF-181 and 54 VDL Citeas LF-122. For the expansion of the GVB fleet, VDL Bus & Coach is also responsible for implementing the charging infrastructure.

GVB has been using electric buses since the end of 2019 with 44 currently in service, and an additional 31 will enter service during the summer, bringing the total number of electric buses to 75 in 2022.

Willem van der Leegte, president, VDL Groep says: “With the development of the new generation VDL Citea, we have a versatile mobility platform that matches the sustainability ambitions of our customers.

“By signing this contract, we are making an important contriJune 2022

bution to making Amsterdam an even cleaner city for its residents and visitors, based on our collaborative strength. We are proud to be able to supply buses to our capital city again.”

Amsterdam is working to further reduce CO2 emissions in the city. The municipality has developed a ‘Route Map Amsterdam Climate Neutral 2050’. Amsterdam will reduce its CO2 emissions by 5 per cent in 2025, 55 per cent in 2030 and 95 per cent in 2050, compared to 1990 levels. As part of this, GVB will provide completely emission-free bus transport in 2025.

Claudia Zuiderwijk, managing director, GVB adds: “This order is a good step towards nicer, cleaner and more sustainable public transport in Amsterdam. More and more inhabitants of Amsterdam will experience how the droning acceleration of buses is disappearing from the city and that the air is cleaner when they cycle or walk around.”

“With this order, the GVB fleet will eventually be entirely VDL,”

says Ard Romers, managing director, VDL Bus & Coach Nederland. “GVB is going to phase out the last diesel buses and permanently switch to zero emission VDL Citeas in Amsterdam. We are proud that, based on the trust built up over the past decade, we can continue our cooperation with the partners in this project.

“The Netherlands is a European forerunner in the electrification of public transport and VDL is happy to provide its experience and expertise as a transition partner. More than 1,100 VDL Citeas now cover over 135,000 electric km together every day in a large number of European cities and regions.”

The new generation of Citeas has already been sold in several countries and will be deployed in a number of cities and areas starting this year: The Netherlands (Eindhoven), Finland (Kotka and Lahti), Belgium (all of Flanders), Germany (Oberhausen and Braunschweig) and France (Bordeaux). www.vdlbuscoach.com

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Zenobē partners with Airsym for new Yutong TCe12 electric coach service ZENOBĒ is backing Airsym, a transport provider for airlines, airports and ground handling companies, to launch into service a new Yutong TCe12 electric coach. The coach will be used as part of a shuttle service for McClaren Automotive, transporting staff from Woking train station to the company’s headquarters during the working week. On weekends, it will be the first electric coach to operate airside at London Heathrow airport, shuttling airline crew to local hotels.

In its first step into the coach sector, Zenobē will be providing the financing and a managed service for the on-coach battery over the course of eight years.

Zenobe says that the decarbonisation of the coach industry will

play a crucial role in the UK’s journey to net zero and in cleaning the air of the nation. It points out that coaches already provide a sustainable travel option, taking personal vehicles off roads, and transitioning coach fleets to zero emission alternatives will save around 56,000 tonnes of carbon over the next decade and reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides equivalent to £225m in public health damage cost savings.

Steven Meersman, co-founder and director, Zenobē, says: “We’re thrilled to be expanding into the coach sector and embarking on this journey together with Airsym.

The coach industry faces several unique challenges to decarbonisation but through the right partnerships, it can today make the first step on this journey.”

Allen Jey, managing director, Airsym, adds: “We’re delighted to add this new electric coach to our fleet and offer our customers a cleaner way to travel. Electrification is clearly the direction the industry is moving in, and we look forward to working with Zenobē, drawing on its expertise and extensive experience, to make a step on this journey.”

Phil Hodgson, area sales manager, Yutong Bus UK at Pelican Bus and Coach, says: “Pelican is delighted that Zenobē has provided vehicle financing on a new asset class of vehicles in the UK by financing a Yutong zero emission electric coach to Airsym.

We see this as a fantastic enabler to begin to transition the coach industry to net zero.” www.zenobe.com

Switch Metrocity E buses for Tower Transit in London SWITCH Mobility will supply 2 Metrocity E-buses to Tower Transit in London for operation on Route 339 between Shadwell and Leytonstone. Route 339 will be the first full EV Route run out of Lea Interchange depot.

Switch’s Metrocity electric bus has a 250kWh NMC battery with a range of up to 180 miles and a charging time of less than three hours. Tower Transit will be the first customer for the updated 9.4m Metrocity. Delivery of the vehicles is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2023.

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Andy Palmer, executive vice chairman and CEO, Switch Mobility, says: “Our Metrocity product is perfectly suited to the requirements of London’s roads and pas-

sengers on this route will soon be able to travel knowing that their journey will be carbon neutral, supporting a greener planet.” www.switchmobility.tech

June 2022

hydrogen

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Wrightbus signs deal with Australian bus body manufacturer Volgren for hydrogen vehicles

WRIGHTBUS has signed a deal with Australia’s leading bus body builder Volgren that it believes could open up a significant export market for the Northern Ireland-based manufacturer.

Wrightbus is partnering with Volgren to provide its hydrogen fuel cell powertrain technology for the manufacture of two zero-emission hydrogen singledeck buses which will be the first European-Australian hydrogen vehicles in the country.

Wrightbus hopes the first two buses will be the start of many as Australia looks to replace tens of thousands of buses with zeroemission vehicles over the next decade to hit its net zero commitments. The vehicles will be powered by Wrightbus NexGen June 2022

hydrogen fuel cell powertrains which will be built in the Ballymena factory, and are the same as those used in Wrightbus’ StreetDeck Hydroliner double-deck and GB Kite Hydroliner single-deck buses.

The Wrightbus-Volgren buses are expected to be ready for trial in the first few months of 2023.

Wrightbus CEO Buta Atwal says: “This is the first time we’ve exported our powertrain technology to a bus body manufacturer, the first time we’ve entered the Australian market as a business, and the hydrogen buses will be the first of their kind to be built in Australia so this is a significant deal for everyone involved.

“We believe the scope for uptake across the Australian market is

huge as the country makes the vital switch to zero-emission vehicles. We’re excited to be in from the start.”

Thiago Deiro, Volgren chief executive officer, adds: “We believe that hydrogen has an important place in Australia and Wrightbus is one of the most important global players in hydrogen buses. We are confident the partnership will help speed up the deployment of hydrogen buses in Australia.

“By collaborating with Wrightbus we’re securing local jobs in Australia’s zero-emission future and creating knowledge and experience in hybrid fuel cell technology.” www.wrightbus.com www.volgren.au

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