Arriva is set to introduce 14 new BYD BD11 battery-electric buses into service in Northumberland next week as part of a wider £37 million investment programme aimed at modernising its North East England operations.
The new vehicles, funded in partnership with the North East Combined Authority, will operate from Arriva’s depot in Blyth and represent a £6.1 million investment in zero-emission public transport.
The buses will serve Routes 43, 44 and 45, connecting Morpeth, Dinnington and Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Expanding Zero-Emission Public Transport
The deployment forms part of Arriva’s broader fleet renewal strategy in the North East, which includes replacing approximately one-third of its regional fleet with new vehicles.
In addition to purchasing new buses, the company plans to refurbish existing vehicles and upgrade depot facilities as part of the wider investment programme.
The introduction of the new electric fleet will increase the number of zero-emission buses operating across the North East and support local efforts to reduce transport-related emissions.
Kim McGuinness, Mayor of the North East, said the region is aiming for a fully zero-emission bus network within the next decade.
“With nearly 100 electric buses in the North East, fare prices capped through The Mayor’s Fares and more people using the bus, we’re doing what we can to give our communities a better service.”
“Local people in the North East deserve nothing less than world-class public transport and this latest investment is another important step forward.”
First Provincial BYD BD11 Fleet
The vehicles are the first provincial-specification examples of the BYD BD11 double-decker delivered to a UK customer outside London since the model was introduced in 2024.
Arriva confirmed the buses will carry Northumbria Electrics branding alongside the company’s standard livery.
Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director of Arriva UK Bus, said the investment reflects the operator’s long-term commitment to sustainable transport.
“This £6 million investment is a clear sign of our confidence in this community and our determination to provide the kind of modern, sustainable transport that our customers deserve.”
“Customers will have smoother, quieter and cleaner journeys, making public transport an even more sustainable choice. Our drivers will benefit from working with the very best vehicles, and our engineers have been specially trained to maintain and manage this new electric fleet.”
BYD BD11 Technical Specifications
First unveiled in 2024, the BYD BD11 is a 10.9-metre battery-electric double-decker designed specifically for high-capacity urban and regional operations.
Key specifications include:
- 532 kWh BYD Blade Battery
- Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry
- Dual 150 kW wheel-hub motors
- Combined torque output of 600 Nm
- 500 kW pantograph charging capability
- Dual-gun plug-in charging support
- Approximately two-hour full charging time under optimal conditions
The vehicle incorporates BYD’s proprietary 6-in-1 silicon carbide (SiC) drive system architecture, designed to improve efficiency, reliability and operational flexibility.
Growing UK Presence
The Northumberland deployment forms part of BYD’s growing presence in the UK public transport market.
Beyond the latest North East fleet, BYD is currently manufacturing 191 battery-electric buses for Arriva’s London operations, alongside an additional 39 vehicles for regional services outside the capital.
As UK operators continue transitioning toward cleaner transport solutions, the introduction of the new BD11 fleet highlights the increasing role of battery-electric buses in supporting regional decarbonisation and improving public transport services.