National Express goes green with £21m Investment in UK Bus Fleet
National Express Group (NEG) has today confirmed a £21.5m investment in its UK bus business. The investment represents 120 new vehicles for the UK bus fleet to be progressively delivered during the second half of 2011.
The move will see the introduction of 18 double deck hybrid-electric vehicles - reducing fuel consumption, and CO2 emissions by around 30%.
The 120 buses, including the greener, cleaner, low carbon buses will be supplied by both Alexander Dennis Limited and Volvo Bus. In total 50 double deck, 52 single deck and 18 hybrid double deck buses have been ordered.
Eddie Kerr, Group Purchasing Director, National Express Group, said: “New investment is crucial to delivering better services for our customers. And this latest multi-million investment forms part of our commitment to continuous improvement in bus services. We look forward to working with Volvo Bus and Alexander Dennis Limited.”
Robert Davey, Alexander Dennis Limited’s Commercial Director, commented: “We have a long association with National Express as a provider of both buses and coaches, and are delighted to be supplying our next generation vehicles for operation on the National Express bus network.
“While our diesel Enviro400s remain the most popular double decks in Britain, it is also pleasing to see the steady introduction of our hybrid-electric models.”
Commenting on the announcement, Volvo Bus Managing Director, Steve Dewhurst said, “Volvo Bus and Wrightbus are delighted to be awarded this contract to supply 59 buses for NEG’s new bus requirements for 2011. We look forward to seeing the new vehicles – especially the highly innovative hybrid-powered double decks - operating in the Midlands.”
He added, “National Express is a key customer for Volvo Bus and following on from the business we secured last year for our coach products, this latest order is a further major step forward in developing our long term relationship with the National Express Group.”
National Express is the biggest bus operator in the West Midlands with a fleet of 1,600 vehicles. The new ADL and Volvo models will be progressively introduced to the fleet for a variety of routes and services from September this year.
More Information:
Alexander Dennis Ltd Vehicles:
- The nine state-of-the-art double deck hybrid-electric vehicles, are known as Enviro400H models
- The hybrid-electrics will be joined by 50 new diesel versions of the Enviro400, all of which will be EEV double decks, that is, approved as Environmentally Enhanced Vehicles by the European Commission.
Volvo Bus Vehicles:
- Globally, Volvo is a leader in hybrid technology and through this contract Warwick-based Volvo Bus will deliver nine of the latest generation B5LH Hybrid Double Deck buses with Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 2 bodywork to NEG.
- The driveline consists of a 5 litre, Euro 5 diesel engine and a 70 kW electric motor in parallel configuration. Together with the energy recovered from braking, this combines to deliver significant fuel savings and offers an effective, even cleaner alternative to a conventional diesel bus.
- In addition, Volvo will also deliver 50 single deck B7RLE buses – again with Wrightbus bodywork – on its highly fuel efficient and environmentally-friendly seven litre diesel engine chassis.
Published 14th March 2011