UK commercial EV start-up Arrival will trial its zero-emission buses on UK roads later this year in partnership with First Bus.
The trial, which will see Arrival buses navigate existing First Bus routes from the autumn, follows the operator’s commitment to purchase no diesel buses after 2022 and to operate a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035.
First Bus currently operates electric buses in Leeds and Glasgow. It also has the UK’s biggest electric park and ride fleet in York as well as some 99 bio-methane buses operating in Bristol.
As previously reported by CiTTi, First launched the world’s first hydrogen-powered double-decker fleet in Aberdeen earlier this year.
Janette Bell, managing director of First Bus, said: “We’re proud to be the first operator in the UK to trial Arrival’s electric buses and look forward to working together to accelerate the transition to zero emissions in our sector.
“Their ground-breaking technology is also expected to allow for improved customer service, and we’re looking forward to seeing how customers react to the new buses when they’re trialled later this year.”
Arrival, which first revealed its electric bus in June 2020, said its bus aims to reduce costs for operators, making the transition to EVs more economically viable.
The single-deck vehicle is equipped with up to 310.8 kWh of energy storage capacity with the option of both an AC or DC charge.
According to Arrival, the bus has been developed to not only have common suspension front and rear, but common wheels and tyres. It estimates the bus to be up to 40% lighter than other battery-electric buses in the market today.
In addition, the vehicle features a single front door with a passenger seating capacity of 36 across the entire flat floor.
