Some 130 double-decker zero-emission e-buses have now been rolled out across Coventry as part of a £140m project led by the city’s local National Express service.
Since debuting in August 2020, National Express Coventry’s e-buses have collectively covered more than 2.5 million miles (4,023,360km) and reportedly saved 4,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
The 130 Enviro400 e-buses in operation were all built in the UK, specifically in Falkirk, on a BYD chassis.
According to National Express, the buses produce zero carbon emissions at the tailpipe and are powered by renewable energy, thanks to a combination of solar panels, a second-life battery system and chargepoint infrastructure installed at National Express Coventry’s bus depot.
Charging the buses takes four hours and they can travel up to 175 miles (281km) on a single charge, depending on the season.
The project’s funding comes from a combination of government support and National Express investment.
In 2021, Transport for West Midlands secured £50m from the UK Department of Transport to transition Coventry’s entire bus fleet to zero-emission electric buses, along with the necessary charging infrastructure.
The initiative builds upon the success of a previous project that introduced 10 battery-electric double-decker buses in 2020, backed by £2.2m from the Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme.
As a result, 80% of National Express Coventry’s fleet now comprises zero-emission vehicles.
To support these efforts, Coventry recently completed the installation of 1,250 charging sockets.
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Coventry City Council’s cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change, said: “This is great news. It’s a significant step toward the decarbonisation of the city’s transport network, building on the council’s investment in a public chargepoint network, and our investment in new cycle routes.”
EV fleet and battery storage specialist Zenobē has offered its Electric-Transport-as-a-Service (ETaaS) to support the rollout.
The solution includes on-board replacement batteries, charging infrastructure, and a software platform for energy monitoring and operational support, which it hopes will ensure the reliability of Coventry’s electric bus fleet.
Innovations and achievements in electric vehicles and public transport will be highlighted and celebrated at the second annual CiTTi Awards on 21 November 2023 at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector – and to book your table today!
