Alexander Dennis announced that Falcon Buses has presented its fleet of 13 next-generation Enviro200EV single-deckers, bringing quieter, cleaner journeys to passengers in Surrey. The Association of Local Bus Managers (ALBUM) member becomes the first independent operator to put the manufacturer’s latest zero-emission into service.
The electric buses were launched with a stakeholder event at the Brooklands Museum in Weybridge. The new electric buses will operate on route 436 from Weybridge to Woking, serving the museum, as well as on route 461 between Kingston, Weybridge, Addlestone and St Peter’s Hospital.
Purchase of the 13 Alexander Dennis Enviro200EV has been supported by the UK Government following a successful bid for funding by Surrey County Council in partnership with Falcon Buses.
Each of the new British-built buses is 10.9m long and can carry up to 37 seated passengers. Two wheelchair and buggy spaces make the buses easy to use for passengers with reduced mobility and those travelling with pushchairs.
Falcon Buses has specified a high-quality finish to the manufacturer’s new interior styling, with part-leather seats, USB charging points at every seat, wood-effect flooring and colour-coordinated handrails creating a smart and welcoming environment for passengers.
The buses offer full air-conditioning for drivers and passengers, helping to provide a comfortable journey in all seasons. The same efficient heat pump system also supports the batteries and electric driveline, while the Enviro200EV’s compact, lightweight design helps reduce energy use by minimising the overall mass to be moved as well as the amount of air to be heated or cooled inside the bus.
Falcon Buses Managing Director, Richard Telling, said: “We chose the next-generation Enviro200EV for our first electric buses after attending Alexander Dennis’s track days event at Millbrook. We were looking at our initial steps for going zero-emission with support of Surrey County Council at the time, and I just loved the product, especially the futuristic looks and the new styling.
“Our relationship with Alexander Dennis is really good, underpinned by our existing fleet of 58 Enviro200 low-emission buses, and we look forward to continuing that with our electric buses. Our Enviro200EV give us a comfortable, quiet ride that is enhanced by amazing air-conditioning. These buses are going to be very popular with our drivers as well as our passengers.”
Mark Taylor, Regional Sales Manager for Alexander Dennis, said: “Today we are celebrating Falcon as the first independent customer for the next-generation Enviro200EV. This is a significant statement of confidence in the product, in electric bus technology, and in the role that independent operators will play in delivering cleaner, quieter and more efficient public transport.
“The Enviro200 has been the backbone of Falcon’s fleet and many other successful bus operations across the country, and it has earned that position because it is practical, dependable and efficient. With the Enviro200EV, we have taken those same strengths and carried them forward into a zero-emission platform designed for the demands of daily service.”
Charging infrastructure at Falcon Buses’ depot in West Byfleet has been delivered by commercial e-fleet experts VEV. The solution includes a dedicated 1,500kVA power supply together with six 60kW chargers and three 120kW chargers, with a second phase of infrastructure already planned to ensure the depot is ready to support Falcon’s long-term electrification plans.
Barry Keane, Senior Account Manager at VEV, said: “This project is about more than installing chargers. It’s about giving operators the confidence that they have the power, charging capability and future capacity needed to transition to zero-emission transport without compromising reliability.
“Every successful electric bus transition starts with the right infrastructure. At Falcon Buses, we’ve delivered a charging solution that’s designed not only for today’s operations, but for tomorrow’s ambitions.”
