New Enviro500EV Charge for North American market
Alexander Dennis has unveiled its first zero-emission, three-axle double-deck bus for the North American market. The Enviro500EV Charge is an all-electric version of the world’s best-selling double-deck.
The Enviro500EV Charge has an integrated electric drive system tailored to the requirements of North American transit bodies. An electric portal axle with hub motors provides fast and efficient propulsion with 2×125kW peak power output. The drive and auxiliary axles have been switched with power supplied at the third axle, ensuring optimum weight distribution and high passenger capacity.
A powerful 648kWh of energy storage is provided by batteries that are integrated in the chassis and the rear of the vehicle for a low centre of gravity and great stability. These have industry standard CCS1 charging points available on the left or the right side of the bus. Gantry charging is also an option.
The system includes an electric heat pump to provide both heating and cooling, which minimises the amount of energy required and increases range capability of the fully air- conditioned bus.
The 45-foot Enviro500EV Charge is designed to offer a good passenger experience with reclined seating, overhead reading lights and air vents, USB ports, and wi-fi and multimedia capability, as well as a high passenger capacity with up to 82 seats, including 53 on the upper deck.
The Enviro500EV Charge forms part of NFI’s range of zero emission buses and coaches alongside New Flyer’s Xcelsior Charge NGTM and Xcelsior Charge H2TM, MCI’s J4500 Charge and D45 CRT LE Charge, and the ARBOC Equess Charge. It is Buy America compliant and Altoona testing is scheduled to start later this year.
Paul Soubry, NFI president and chief executive officer, says: “We are excited to have Alexander Dennis join in on producing zero-emission bus solutions for North America as this is the very first launch of an Alexander Dennis vehicle at our Vehicle Innovation Center.
“When acquiring ADL and welcoming the company into NFI Group in May 2019, their strong international growth agenda and double-deck platform were extremely interesting to us and today’s launch brings together both of these elements. As NFI Group, we are leading the evolution to zero-emission mobility – Leading the ZEvolution as we like to call it – and Alexander Dennis is a central part of this.”