NFI Group has announced it has submitted new orders for 53 new buses for local operator Reading Buses.
The purchases, which include orders for 24 zero-emission Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV buses and 29 low-emission buses, will see the operator introduce the first electric vehicles into operation on the Reading Buses network.
Part of a successful bid, Reading Borough Council received funding for the fleet vehicles from the second round of the UK Government’s Zero-Emission Regional Bus Areas scheme (ZEBRA 2).
The 24 Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV zero-emission buses come equipped with the Voith Electrical Drive System (VEDS), as well as high-performance batteries capable of storing up to 472kWh of energy.
The remaining 29 low-emission buses will include 21 new Enviro400 double deckers and 8 Enviro200 single deckers, all of which will utilise NFI’s SmartPack technology
The 24 zero-emission buses are set to enter operation in 2025, with the 29 low-emission buses due for delivery by the end of 2024.
“We have been undertaking extensive testing of demonstrators from a number of suppliers. The two things of paramount importance were the experience for the customers and experience for our drivers, before we considered the technical side of things.
“Of all the demonstrators, the new Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV has the best layout for customers on board, and the drivers who tested it were very impressed.”
Charging for the vehicles will be provided at the Reading Buses depot, which is set to receive a 13 new fast chargers as part of the network’s electrification overhaul.
With the purchase of the new set of vehicles, Reading Buses will redeploy its current fleet of Enviro400CBG biogas buses to other routes, replacing a portion of the company’s oldest diesel buses.
“We are delighted to welcome Reading Buses as one of the first customers for our next-generation electric buses. Our next-generation Enviro400EV will give Reading Buses a great start into zero-emission technology, its class-leading energy efficiency and warrantable energy throughput ensuring that these clean buses will cost less to operate and keep going for longer.
“We’re also thrilled to continue our partnership with further low-emission buses, building on similar investment in recent years and demonstrating our unrivalled ability to offer complete solutions for all fleet requirements.”
