Volvo Buses and Alexander Dennis are looking to develop a tram-style electric bus for the UK, designed to support high-capacity, rapid transit with a lower infrastructure requirement than traditional tram schemes.
Under the feasibility study, Volvo Buses has made its BZL Electric articulated chassis available to Alexander Dennis to assess how the platform could be developed into a new body design, the Enviro Max.
By using existing road space and avoiding the need for rails, track beds and overhead line infrastructure, the bus could present a cost-effective option for local authorities looking to enhance public transport capacity and connectivity.
The BZL Electric articulated chassis has a chassis length of 14.7 metres, supporting a complete vehicle length of around 18 metres for the proposed Enviro Max body configuration.
It can be specified with up to 12 lithium-ion phosphate battery packs, providing up to 530kWh of installed energy, with charging options including CCS2 at up to 250kW and OppCharge at up to 450kW.
Richard Mann, Sales Director at Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, said, “We are seeing increasing interest from local authorities in tram-style electric bus systems that can deliver the visibility, capacity and passenger appeal associated with tram-style systems, while offering a more flexible and lower-infrastructure route to delivery.”
Paul Davies, President & Managing Director at Alexander Dennis, said, “Our new Enviro Max would offer combined and local authorities a stunning zero-tailpipe emission rapid transit solution that supports British manufacturing and benefits the wider economy by keeping investment in the country.”
