BYD buses making Liverpool greener

An artists impression of BYD's electric single-decker bus Enviro200 EV. [Photo/provided to China Daily]

Chinese automotive manufacturer BYD and British bus maker Alexander Dennis won their first order together outside of the capital when they were asked to deliver electric single-decker vehicles to Liverpool, at a time when green technology buses are becoming more popular throughout the UK.

The partnership will see them deliver a fleet of emissions-free buses to work routes around Liverpool city center. The order, which was placed by Merseyside operator Arriva North West, is for 12 Enviro200 EV 12-meter buses.

They will work city-center routes by day and be recharged overnight.

The buses are expected to cover between 240 km and more than 300 km each day and will also power integral USB chargers fitted inside the vehicles for the use of passengers.

In line with all BYD-Alexander Dennis joint products, the vehicles have been designed to complete a full day's work on a single charge and will not need to be topped up during the day. Therefore, they will be able to take advantage of cheaper of-peak electricity when charged at night.

Frank Thorpe, a senior manager with BYD's UK operations, said: "Merseyside is pointing the way for other British cities wishing to tackle their air-quality issues through pollution-free city center buses. We look forward to more such orders."

Arthur Whiteside, head of UK sales for Alexander Dennis, said several other cities are watching.

"It's the first joint order from outside London and opens the door to a range of provincial cities wishing to upgrade their bus fleet to pure electric, emissions-free standard," he said."The Enviro200EV provides a stylish, cost-effective and proven bus to meet their needs."

Emissions-free transport is becoming increasing important in the UK as a result of policies promoting low-carbon use. Several other clean-energy buses have been ordered.

Earlier in September, BYD started to provide 51 new single-decker electric buses for London, which it said will become Europe's largest electric fleet. The move should save London 700 metric tons of CO2 emissions a year.

The partnership between the manufacturers is said to be "well advanced" in fulfilling the order, which was placed by operator Go-Ahead.