Arriva, one of the leading bus operators in London, has announced its plan to introduce 50 battery-electric double-deckers into its fleet this year. The new buses, known as the StreetDeck Electroliner BEV, are manufactured by the Northern Irish company Wrightbus and will be deployed on London’s roads between May and September 2023.
In addition to the depot in Brixton, Arriva has partnered with the company Zenobe to build appropriate infrastructure for electric buses at depots in the boroughs of Enfield and Thornton Heath. Intelligent load management will also be integrated into the new buses to ensure their availability and minimise energy costs.
The StreetDeck Electroliner BEV is an impressive vehicle that offers up to 74 seats and 21 standing places. Its batteries are located in the underbody and rear of the bus, and the total battery package is available in a 340 or 454 kWh configuration. The latter configuration offers up to 200 miles (about 320 kilometres) of range, which is a significant improvement compared to the older models.
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One of the standout features of the StreetDeck Electroliner BEV is its fast-charging capability. The bus can be charged via CCS with up to 300 kW and via Pantograf with up to 420 kW, making it ideal for London’s fast-paced transportation system.
It is unclear which battery variant Arriva has chosen for its buses, but the company’s commercial director, Graham Davies, stated that the double-decker with the electric rear axle from ZF is particularly efficient, increasing the range and lowering purchase and operating costs.
Davies also expressed his excitement at the new addition to Arriva’s fleet, saying, “Welcoming the new Wrightbus electric fleet into our Enfield and Thornton Heath garages, whilst further strengthening our Brixton-based fleet, is an exciting milestone in our continued journey to operating a greener, decarbonised bus network across London. We are delighted to once again be working in partnership with Wrightbus and Zenobe on this project to support TfL’s long-term vision.”
See also: Arriva Secures €300M Bus and Rail Contract in the Netherlands, to Deploy 100 Zero-Emission Buses
Arriva’s decision to integrate electric buses into its fleet is a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable transportation system in London. As more companies invest in electric buses, we can expect to see a reduction in emissions and an improvement in air quality in our cities.
