Alexander Dennis and Volvo to jointly develop articulated electric BRT bus for the UK market

Alexander Dennis and Volvo Buses are working on the development of an articulated, all-electric bus with tram-inspired styling, aimed specifically at the UK market. The parties are currently examining, as part of a feasibility study, how they could make use of their available engineering expertise and manufacturing capacity in the United Kingdom to create an entirely new body variant designed for rapid transit. An interesting aspect of the project is that articulated buses are a rarity in the island nation, which has traditionally favoured double-deckers, although recent activity has been seen in this area in the BRT segment.

Although Alexander Dennis has taken the development of its electric city buses entirely in-house with its latest generation change, an articulated version is absent from its range due to local operating characteristics and limited market opportunities, making the involvement of a chassis manufacturing partner with a suitable mechanical platform appear an obvious choice. Alexander Dennis and Volvo have moreover maintained a good partnership in the UK market for a long time; most recently, we wrote about the two companies' cooperation in connection with the tri-axle Enviro400XLB double-decker buses built on Volvo B9L chassis.

The technical basis of the approximately 18-metre articulated electric bus, referred to under the working name Enviro Max, would be the articulated version of the Volvo BZL Electric rolling chassis, which can be equipped with a traction battery pack with a total capacity of up to 530 kWh. The bodywork would use body components and proven solutions from the Enviro range, while the high degree of commonality between components would make maintenance and repairs easier for operators already running Alexander Dennis's new-generation electric buses. So far, only computer-generated images of the vehicle have been released, showing the right-hand side in the direction of travel – in this case, the side without doors – so nothing is yet known about the door layout. Clearly visible, however, are the unusually rearward C-axle and the styling customary in this category, inspired by modern trams, with its optically lowered waistline and shrouded wheels. As for the interior layout, it has been stated that configurations meeting operational requirements and fitting existing infrastructure will be determined with the involvement of prospective customers.

"This feasibility work gives us an opportunity to consider how our experience in designing and building buses could be combined with Volvo Buses’ electric chassis technology. As part of this, we will be able to draw on the extensive experience that our NFI Group sister company New Flyer has with articulated buses" – said Paul Davies, President and Managing Director of Alexander Dennis. "Our new Enviro Max would offer combined and local authorities a stunning zero-tailpipe-emission rapid transit solution that supports British manufacturing and benefits the wider economy by keeping investment in the country. We believe there is a role for bus rapid transit schemes alongside our conventional Enviro-family single and double-deck buses, and we look forward to engaging with customers and stakeholders to understand their requirements."

Richard Mann, Sales Director at Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, added: "We are seeing increasing interest from local authorities in tram-style electric bus systems that can deliver the visibility, capacity and passenger appeal associated with tram-style systems, while offering a more flexible and lower-infrastructure route to delivery. Following the successful introduction of the Volvo BZL Electric articulated chassis in Australia earlier this year, we are now exploring with Alexander Dennis how this proven electric platform could support a tram-inspired product tailored to the UK market."

Renderings: Alexander Dennis Ltd.