Yutong E9 to grow OEM's UK battery-electric bus line-up
The Yutong battery-electric bus range in the UK is to grow with the introduction of the mid-sized E9 model by dealership Pelican Bus and Coach. It will have a 14,300kg GVW within a length of 8.94m and a width of 2.42m, and come in two-door layout as standard with wheelchair user access at the centre.
The supplier already has orders in hand for the E9, with production having commenced and the first deliveries expected in March 2023. Pelican says the bus is “highly manoeuvrable and ideal for both rural and urban applications,” and that it will also suit demand responsive use. The E9 will sit alongside the existing heavyweight E10 and E12 models.
Fitted to the E9 will be 255kW/h of battery story and the Yutong Electrical Safety System as standard. Maximum passenger capacity will be 62, with air-conditioning part of the specification. A single 120kW motor will provide power and DC charging will be via the industry standard CCS2 protocol.
Head of Yutong sales at Pelican Bus and Coach Ian Downie says: “The introduction of the smaller E9 to our zero-emission portfolio represents an exciting addition. With three different single-deck sizes and the only zero-emission coach in the UK, the Yutong offering provides customers with real choice.
“The size and manoeuvrability of the E9 makes it ideal for a number of applications.”
ADL reveals more about in-house battery-electric range
Alexander Dennis has revealed further details of its work to offer battery-electric buses that are fully designed and integrated in-house. Alongside a new small bus already outlined, it will introduce such a double-deck product. Both are to complement the existing BYD ADL Enviro200EV and Enviro400EV models, which will continue to be sold and supported.
The development brings Alexander Dennis battery-electric products in line with the OEM's established policy of offering its own complete vehicles alongside those that use an ADL body on another party's chassis. Doing so will "ensure that customers have the widest range of solutions available to meet their individual requirements,” the manufacturer says.
Delivery of the first of the new models will be from late 2023. They will introduce a new design language developed in-house with input from students of Coventry University’s Automotive and Transport Design course. That will give the buses “unmistakeable kerb appeal and highlight their zero-emission credentials,” Alexander Dennis continues.
Unveiled so far is a teaser image of one of the new buses. Further details and drawings will be released over coming months.
An order for 10 Enviro500EV tri-axles in hand for Hong Kong operator KMB will be part of the new generation of battery-electric buses, as hinted at when it was announced in March. Meanwhile, the hydrogen fuel cell-electric Enviro400FCEV will share technology and key driveline components with the newcomers.
Says President and Managing Director Paul Davies: “Alexander Dennis continues to lead the transition to zero-emission mobility, and this unparalleled investment in the latest zero-emission technology gives operators, transport authorities and councils the freedom to choose from an even wider range of buses.
“Throughout this difficult period for our industry, we have continued to challenge our engineering team to evolve our range. The result will be a brand new fully in-house designed and integrated electric double-deck and small bus product, giving our customers access to the latest zero-emission vehicle technology from a single, trusted source.”
Switch EiV 22 double-decker launched for Indian market
Switch Mobility has continued to make headway in the Indian market for battery-electric buses with the debut of the EiV 22 double-decker. It has been designed and developed in India and will also be manufactured there.
The air-conditioned, high-floor model has 231kW/h of energy storage. Switch claims that will give a range of up to 250km in city applications. Dual-connection charging is possible and the bus comes with a maximum seating capacity of 65. The OEM says that figure is almost double that of a single-decker to Indian specification, but that it comes with an increase in unladen weight of only 18%.
Front and rear doors, and staircases, are part of the specification. Switch already has an order for 200 EiV 22 buses in hand for Mumbai and it says the new model leaves it “looking at a dominant space in the electric double-decker segment across key regions in [India].”
Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Switch Mobility Ltd Andy Palmer notes that the EiV 22 builds on the manufacturer’s battery-electric Metrodecker product in the UK, of which over 100 are in service. “With our Switch EiV 22 and Metrodecker buses, we are now well positioned to address the global double-decker market and support cities in meeting their net-zero targets," says Mr Palmer.
Adds Switch Mobility Chair Dheeraj Hinduja: “It is an extremely proud moment for us as we bring back the iconic double-decker to India. Ashok Leyland was a pioneer among Indian manufacturers when it first launched the double-decker in 1967 in Mumbai and Switch is carrying forward that legacy.
"With our strong expertise in double-deckers in both India and the UK, and with over 100 Switch electric double-deckers in service on UK roads, we are happy to bring this icon back to life and look forward to introducing newer electric products for the Indian and European markets, always keeping customers at the forefront.”
The EiV 22 double-decker follows the recently revealed EiV 12 battery-electric single-decker for the Indian market. The EiV 12 will form part of a 5,000-unit deployment recently announced by Switch in collaboration with operator Chalo.