Optare unveiled the next generation Metrodecker and Metrocity all electric buses at Euro Bus Expo 2018. Both buses have fully electric heating and can a deliver more than 150 miles on a single charge.
The Metrodecker next generation EV carries more than 94 passengers with an unladen weight of just over 11T and a GVW of only 18T.
The Metrocity EV carries up to 60 passengers with an unladen weight of less than 9T and a GVW of 13T.
Richard Bulter, Chief Executive, Optare, said, “With the support of our parent company, Ashok Leyland, we continue to make significant investment in our future; not only with the development of new innovative products but also investing in our manufacturing and customer support facilities.
Here at Optare we recognise that the industry faces many challenges and it’s our role to bring creative, innovative solutions both in design and product support that allows operators and Local Authorities to have low cost of ownership; whilst delivering vehicles that address climate change and deliver cleaner air to our towns and cities.
The vehicles we are launching today are the culmination of almost a decade of pioneering electric bus design and development.
In 2009 our first single deck electric buses delivered 60 miles on a single charge with diesel heating. An electric double deck was a dream a decade ago.
Today, I stand in front of a single deck AND a double deck electric bus that can both deliver more than 150 miles on a single charge with fully electric zero emission heating without compromise.
“We are proud that these buses appear no different to their electric predecessors or diesel counterparts.
It’s the innovation that you can’t see that is game changing. Optare have brought together the very latest technologies to create our next generation EVs.
New batteries and new drive systems deliver best in class performance in range, capacity and efficiency. We now have a bus that can deliver a full day’s zero emission service on a single charge all year round with no impact on capacity.”
Robert Drewery, Commercial Director, Optare, “Optare has been able to deliver a leap forward by building on its EV experience and unique advantage.
Optare’s lightweight monocoque space frame design allows Optare’s engineers to integrate the very best components to create electric buses that go further, carry more people and deliver the best possible bottom line for operators without penalising passenger capacity, comfort and appeal.
Improving efficiency always features highly in the minds of operators but this is imperative on the journey towards zero-emissions.”
The Solo xFE and Versa xFE demonstrator examples of Euro 6 extra fuel-efficient vehicles were also on display at Euro Bus Expo 2018 (30 Oct – 1 Nov, NEC, Birmingham) featuring the latest interiors, designed to delight the passenger.
In response to customer requirements and following the success of the Allison xFE transmission launched at Euro Bus Expo 2016, Optare is now the first OEM to integrate this fuel saving transmission into all its single deck buses as standard.
During recent independent testing conducted under conditions representative of actual service, the Optare Euro 6 single deck range fitted with xFE transmission and FuelSense®2.0 Max returned an annual fuel economy improvement equivalent of up to £1,176 (excluding VAT) per vehicle* over previous Euro 6 models.
*Based on an average annual operating mileage of 50,000 miles per year and fuel cost of £4.85 per gallon (excluding VAT).
