Alexander Dennis’ next-generation electric buses have achieved a 97% charging efficiency through Zemo Partnership testing.
This result is expected to bring financial benefits to operators by reducing the total cost of ownership, a critical factor in the transition to zero-emission public transport.
The achievement has been made possible through system integration and optimisation. Alexander Dennis engineers worked closely with key partners, including driveline supplier Voith Turbo, battery system provider Impact Clean Power Technology, and HVAC specialist Grayson Thermal Systems.
This collaborative approach has delivered a grid-to-wheel efficiency figure that is the highest ever recorded for UK zero-emission bus certification.
Alexander Dennis Group Engineering Director, Chris Gall, said:We have focused on delivering benefits for our customers throughout the development of our next-generation electric buses. We’re delighted to announce a stunning 97% grid-to-wheel efficiency, certified by the Zemo Partnership’s zero-emission bus testing. This will minimise energy requirements and slash costs for customers by delivering sustained savings throughout their buses’ long operational lives.
This is once again a testament to the fantastic expertise of our engineering team and the collaborative working culture we have fostered with our key partners Voith Turbo, Impact Clean Power Technology and Grayson Thermal Systems.
This result complements the overall efficiency of the new electric bus models. The Enviro400EV, a double-decker, and the Enviro100EV, a smaller model, were previously certified with industry-leading driveline energy consumption figures of 0.67kWh/km and 0.54kWh/km, respectively, over the UK Bus Cycle.
Zemo Partnership’s independent testing revealed that the Enviro400EV achieves a minimum 14% reduction in energy costs compared to any other certified electric double-decker bus with a similar battery size under UK Bus Cycle testing conditions. The next-generation models also benefit from longer battery life, with a class-leading warrantable energy throughput of up to 1.6GWh, further reducing the total cost of ownership over the vehicles’ operational life.
To ensure optimal performance in real-world conditions, which may differ from UK Bus Cycle testing, Alexander Dennis offers comprehensive route modelling services to predict the buses’ performance on specific routes.
