Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) and BYD UK has jointly announced that their electric vehicle partnership, has demonstrated its single deck electric bus to authorities, operators and stakeholders in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland. ADL is a subsidiary of leading independent global bus manufacturer NFI Group Inc. (NFI), while BYD is a global leader in batteries, energy management and electric mobility.
The BYD ADL Enviro200EV demonstrator visited Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, allowing staff to familiarise themselves with the type before the operators’ upcoming delivery of 45 similar buses as part of a framework agreement between ADL and the National Transport Authority. It was then joined by Northern Ireland operator Translink for an inspection at ADL’s Ballymena office, where Mid & East Antrim Mayor, Cllr William McCaughey had the opportunity to explore the zero emission bus.
Commenting on ADL’s continued innovation in green energy EV solutions for the transport sector, Mayor McCaughey said: “ADL’s focus on green technologies and the development of products in this space is yet again evident with the BYD ADL Enviro200EV demo bus, which I have had the pleasure of seeing first hand here in Ballymena. Mid and East Antrim aims to become the Cleantech hub for Northern Ireland, and the investment in innovation by key industry players in our borough such as ADL, our focus and support for hydrogen via the newly launched Hydrogen Training Academy and our plans for the i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre are supporting our journey to net zero carbon.”
The BYD ADL Enviro200EV brings together the proven battery and electric technology of BYD with the outstanding design and build expertise of ADL to shape the future of green transport. At the demonstrator’s length of 10.2m, its 348kWh batteries are the largest available in the UK and Irish market.
David McCaughey, Contracts Manager at ADL, commented: “Throughout its stay in Ireland, the feedback on our electric bus has been extremely positive. With its world-class technology backed up by our local expertise and aftermarket support, the BYD ADL Enviro200EV has a great role to play in delivering a cleaner future for everyone.”
Frank Thorpe, Managing Director, BYD UK, said: “We are proud to bring our world leading expertise in batteries and integrated powertrain technology to our successful eBus venture in the UK with ADL. BYD strongly believes in the value of partnerships to support more transport authorities, operators and stakeholders in Europe to achieve clean, safe, eco-friendly pure electric solutions.”
Group photograph shows, left to right: David McCaughey (Contracts Manager, ADL), Cllr William McCaughey (Mid & East Antrim Mayor) and James McKergan (Head of Engineering, ADL)