BYD and ADL partner to supply Go-Ahead London with capital’s first, large-scale pure electric bus fleet

BYD, the world’s largest maker of pure electric buses - and Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), Europe’s fastest growing bus and coach builder - have formed a powerful new alliance and confirmed a £19 million deal today that will see the introduction of London’s first large-scale, zero-emission, single deck bus fleet. This will also be the single largest fleet of full size electric buses in Europe.

The move follows confirmation by Go-Ahead London that they are to introduce 51 emission-free, pure electric buses on routes 507 and 521, which operate between Waterloo and Victoria.

The vehicles will be built on BYD chassis and powered by BYD’s technology-leading electric drivetrain. All 51 buses will be bodied by ADL, incorporating their market-leading Enviro200-like midi bus design. The Enviro200 is the world’s best-selling midi bus and renowned for its lightweight, easy access, manoeuvrability and fuel efficiency.  

Go-Ahead London said today that it expects to introduce all 51 of the revolutionary new vehicles into service by August 27, 2016, signalling the introduction of London’s first, large-scale pure electric bus fleet. The move follows an announcement from Transport for London (TfL) earlier this month that it would electrify central London routes 507 and 521 as part of its drive to make all of its single deck buses emission-free by 2020.

The new deal, worth £19 million, includes a full on-site repair and maintenance programme for the term of the contract and combines the strengths of ADL’s Enviro200 12m single deck (with 18,000 units sold worldwide) and BYD’s own design of Iron-Phosphate Battery technology and drivetrain system. The latter has been proven to deliver outstanding range and reliability in multiple international markets, covering millions of kilometres of passenger-carrying service.

The decision by the two manufacturers to collaborate on this first fleet is a significant step. It brings together the proven, safe and long range capabilities of BYD’s pure electric buses (the company has 3,500 in service worldwide) with the outstanding and high quality vehicle design and UK build capability of ADL. The resulting vehicles, capable of carrying up to 90 passengers, will offer Londoners some of the most advanced zero emission buses in the world and provide opportunities for the two partner bus builders to work together in the future for the benefit of other bus operators, their passengers and the wider community.

Both BYD and ADL see this latest development as a major step towards bus operations in the UK and around the world making a bold statement and major contribution on which to base clean air initiatives.

Isbrand Ho, Managing Director of BYD Europe, said: “Working together with our partners and friends at ADL we can provide a truly optimised blend of expertise. Our deep experience of not only battery technology but the critical battery management systems and driveline components necessary to deliver unequalled range and reliability are matched to ADL’s strong track record in building low weight, attractive and durable buses. This combination will deliver a unique vehicle which we believe will have a strong appeal in London and elsewhere in the UK”.

Colin Robertson, CEO of ADL, commented: “Technology is at the forefront of everything we do and this unique alliance with BYD represents a quantum leap into the future. Our combined strengths and, critically, the unified aftermarket support we are putting in place to support Go-Ahead London in the long-term, represents a fundamental of our combined business philosophy. The backing of Go-Ahead – in the form of this £19m contract – is a huge confidence booster and we are delighted to have emerged alongside BYD as the preferred bidder in what was a highly competitive process involving a raft of global competitors. I see this new initiative as a major turning point for ADL and our new technology partner, BYD.” 

Richard Harrington, Engineering Director of Go-Ahead London, commented: “We are delighted to have placed this order with BYD and have every confidence that along with ADL they will deliver exactly what they promise, that is, the world’s most advanced, zero-emission, pure electric bus fleet – and one that will match the rigorous demands of the London operating environment. Go-Ahead is constantly striving to stay at the forefront of technology and to make a major contribution in the reduction of emissions and pollutants. This is a considerable step towards a cleaner, greener London bus fleet.”

About BYD

BYD Company Ltd. is the world’s largest maker of pure electric buses. Its vehicles have been trialled by 147 cities worldwide and proved to have significant operational cost benefits, as well as being totally environment friendly. Two of its single decks have been in service with Go-Ahead in London for 18 months and the successful in-service experience of these vehicles – which are able to complete a day’s route service on a single battery charge – has been instrumental in securing this latest contract. The world’s first pure electric double deck is also being developed by BYD and TfL recently announced that five will enter trial service with Metroline in London later this year.

BYD is one of China’s largest companies to have successfully expanded globally. Specializing in battery technologies, their green mission to “solve the whole problem” has made them industry pioneers and leaders in several High-tech sectors including High-efficiency Automobiles, Electrified Public Transportation, Environmentally-Friendly Energy Storage, Affordable Solar Power and Information Technology and Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) services.

As the world’s largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, their mission to create safer and more environmentally  friendly  battery  technologies  has  lead  to  the  development  of  the  BYD  Iron Phosphate (or "Fe") Battery. This fire-safe, completely recyclable and incredibly long-cycle technology has become the core of their clean energy platform that has expanded into automobiles, buses, trucks, utility vehicles and energy storage facilities. BYD and all of their shareholders, including the great American Investor Warren Buffett, see these environmentally and economically forward products as the way of the future.

BYD has made a strong entrance to the North, Central and South American markets with their battery electric buses, and lineup of automobiles. Their mission lies not just in sales growth, but also in sociological integration and local job creation as they have poured incredible investments into developing offices, dealerships and manufacturing facilities in the local communities they now call home, truly a first for Chinese companies. For more information, please visit www.byd.com or www.facebook.com/bydcompany.

About ADL

Alexander Dennis Limited, known as ADL, is the UK’s biggest bus and coach manufacturer. It employs 2,500 people and supports a further 1,500 jobs in build partnerships around the world. It is a business that has enjoyed spectacular growth in recent years, quadrupling turnover and extending its global reach beyond the UK into Hong Kong, where it is market leader, China, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada. ADL is an acknowledged world-leader in the design, engineering and manufacture of both two-axle and three-axle double decks. It also produces the world’s best-selling midi bus, the Enviro200.

Further information from:

Penny Peng, at BYD, on +31 -102070888 (office)

penny.peng@byd.com

Martin Hayes, at BYD, on +44 (0) 7836 21009 (mobile)

martin@mchassociates.org

Bill Simpson, at ADL, on +44 (0)1483 571271 (office) or 0776699 5000 (mobile)

bill.simpson@alexander-dennis.com