Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) has delivered the first nine of a planned 35 electric double-decker buses to Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation, aiming to prove battery-powered public transport can operate effectively in the city’s challenging climate and terrain.
Manufactured in Scotland and fitted with German-made Voith Electrical Drive Systems (VEDS), the 12-metre Enviro500EV buses are the three-axle version of ADL’s Enviro400EV model. Each vehicle carries a 472 kWh battery pack, which can be upgraded or replaced as needed. The buses can carry up to 86 passengers and feature a heavy-duty VEDS configuration producing 410 kW peak output and 310 kW continuous output, designed for the steep gradients of the northwestern New Territories.
Voith said Hong Kong’s “very demanding climatic conditions” present a challenge for electric buses, noting that summer temperatures regularly exceed 33°C with humidity above 80%, compounded by dense urban traffic with frequent stops. The company added its energy management system ensures the buses operate below capacity even under full passenger load.
“With support from Voith, our next-generation electric bus has been designed from the ground up for the demands of Hong Kong’s world class transport system to deliver sizable passenger capacity alongside operational flexibility,” said Andy Boulton, Managing Director Asia Pacific at Alexander Dennis. The remaining 26 buses are due for delivery in the coming months.