The City of London has welcomed its first emissions-free, all-electric double-decker bus, specially designed and developed for Transport for London (TfL) by BYD.
Matthew Pencharz, London’s deputy mayor for environment and energy, formally received the first bus from Isbrand Ho, managing director of BYD Europe. It is one of a fleet of five that will soon enter service on Route 98, operated on behalf of TfL by Metroline. BYD is working with TfL and Metroline on an introduction program that includes driver training and the installation of fast-charging equipment at Metroline’s Willesden bus garage in north London.
Designed and developed by BYD, the electric bus is 10.2 meters long, features full air conditioning and accommodates seating for 54 passengers, with a further 27 standees for a total passenger capacity of 81 people. The iron-phosphate batteries deliver 345 kWh of power and can run for up to 190 miles of typical urban driving, according to the internationally recognized standardized on-road test conditions. Recharging takes about four hours and can be completed overnight using low-cost off-peak electricity.
“The Mayor of London challenged us saying that he did not believe an electric double-decker was technically feasible, but we took up the challenge and in less than two years created the bus Londoners can see today,” says Ho.
