BYD and ADL move to assembly of electric bus chassis in the UK
Electric single- and double-deck buses will now be built as complete vehicles in the UK following a agreement between Alexander Dennis and BYD. To date, the chassis have been produced by BYD and imported into the UK for bodybuilding at ADL plants.
Electric bus chassis assembly will now take place in ADL’s facilities with support from the BYD team, from the second half of 2021.
The two companies say that the move is in response to increasing demand for zero emission vehicles and will strengthen the partnership’s market-leading position while underpinning jobs and developing skills in Britain.
Since it started in 2015, the BYD/ADL collaboration has delivered or has on order more than 500 electric buses, with a combined mileage of over 16 million miles.
Frank Thorpe, managing director, BYD UK, says: “This news underpins the fantastic relationship we have with ADL in the UK. We have always worked closely to deliver the highest quality products and services, and we are confident that production of complete vehicles here in the UK will bring even greater efficiencies for our customers.
More importantly, “this commitment from both BYD and ADL is also a reflection of the acceptance of eMobility from local authorities, bus operators and their passengers. Electrification in our towns and cities is gathering pace, and the BYD ADL partnership is spearheading the drive towards a more sustainable future.”
Paul Davies, ADL president & managing director, adds: “I am delighted that we’re moving our electric bus partnership to this next level and building complete zero emission buses for the UK market in the UK. This ensures that investment in sustainable transport for our towns and cities delivers full economic benefits to communities right across the country.”