Bus operator Arriva will integrate 50 battery-electric double-deckers into its fleet in London this year. The StreetDeck Electroliner BEV buses from the Northern Irish manufacturer Wrightbus are to be put into service between May and September 2023.
After the depot in Brixton, Arriva will now also have the appropriate infrastructure for electric buses built by the company Zenobe at the depots in the boroughs of Enfield and Thornton Heath, according to a statement by Wrightbus. Intelligent load management will also be integrated to ensure the availability of the vehicles on the one hand and to minimise energy costs on the other.
Wrightbus first presented the StreetDeck Ecoliner BEV in July 2021. The electric double-decker offers up to 74 seats and 21 standing places. The batteries are housed in the underbody and rear, and the total battery package is available in a 340 or 454 kWh configuration. With the latter energy content, up to 200 miles (about 320 kilometres) range is possible, according to Wrightbus. The manufacturer also emphasises the fast-charging capability of the new buses as a special feature: they can be charged via CCS with up to 300 kW and via Pantograf with up to 420 kW.
It is not clear from the press release which battery variant Arriva has chosen. But it does mention one of the reasons why the operator chose precisely this model: The double-decker with the electric rear axle from ZF is said to be particularly efficient – which increases the range and lowers the purchase and operating costs.
“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,” says Arriva London commercial director Graham Davies. “We are delighted to once again be working in partnership with Wrightbus and Zenobe on this project to support TfL’s long-term vision.”
Keyword: Arriva to deliver 50 battery buses to London this year