130 double-decker Enviro400 electric buses manufactured by Alexander Dennis and BYD for National Express Coventry have entered service in the West Midlands.
This marks a major milestone in the 140 million GBP project to create the UK’s first all-electric bus city by 2025.
The buses were ordered under a 2022 contract with Alexander Dennis and BYD. They produce zero carbon emissions at the tailpipe and are powered by renewable energy, using solar panels, a second-life battery and charge-point infrastructure installed by Zenobē at National Express Coventry’s bus depot.
The electric buses take four hours to recharge and can transport passengers for up to 175 miles on each charge.
The 130 new electric double-decker buses delivered by Alexander Dennis and BYD are in addition to 10 fully electric double-decker buses introduced by National Express Coventry in 2020.
The first 50 of these new vehicles were delivered at the end of 2022. Now, with all 130 units operational in the city, 80% of National Express Coventry’s fleet is zero-emission at tailpipe.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said:We’re well on our way to making Coventry the UK’s first all-electric bus city by 2025. It’s great news that National Express moved ahead at pace with placing the order - getting these British-made buses into service. These environmentally friendly buses will help to improve air quality in Coventry and by switching to a modern electric fleet, operators will reduce their energy costs.
Most important of all, local people will now benefit from a quieter, smoother and more comfortable journey experience on these wonderful new buses in the months and years ahead. I look forward to seeing them in action and being a customer myself.
