National Express Coventry to trial Volvo BZL Electric single deck bus

The Volvo BZL Electric single deck bus is being trialled by National Express Coventry

We are trialling a fully electric Volvo bus on Coventry's roads over the coming weeks. 

The single deck Volvo BZL Electric demonstrator can carry up to 75 passengers and is currently on loan to us, where it is operating on our 20, 20A and 20B services between Coventry city centre, University Hospital and Wilson’s Lane.

Customers can expect to notice the super smooth and quiet journeys that they’ve become accustomed to on our buses throughout Coventry, with every one of our 140 double decker buses already being fully electric. 

The BZL’s driveline has been fine-tuned to provide very low interior noise and for increased comfort of everyone on board, the vehicle features air conditioning, heating and seatback USB chargers.

Antony Goozee, Bus Strategy and Commercial Director for National Express, said:

“Buses are the most used form of transport in Coventry and the wider West Midlands. Not only do our services play a key role in keeping people connected, they are also critical to driving down harmful emissions.

“Getting more people to ditch their cars and switch to travelling by bus is vital to tackling climate change and we’re proud to be leading the charge in offering sustainable transport choices in Coventry, with all 140 of our electric double decker buses producing zero-emissions at the tailpipe. 

“As we look ahead to update our single decker vehicles, it’s great to be working with Volvo to trial their BZL Electric bus and we look forward to better understanding its capabilities and efficiencies under our usual operating conditions.”

Domenico Bondi, Managing Director at Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, said:

“I am pleased to see our sought-after Volvo BZL Electric demonstrator entering service with an operator whose legacy spans decades, and which has such a deep-rooted name within the passenger transport sector. With Coventry’s plans to become the UK’s first all-electric bus city by 2025, the city’s ambitions tie nicely in with our own. 

“We’re proud to be able to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide a quieter environment for more and more communities in the UK. I look forward to the continued partnership with National Express, helping to meet our collective goals.”

The single deck Volvo BZL Electric demonstrator features a four-battery configuration offering a total power output of up to 376kWh. It is being charged at the operator’s depot overnight using a 40kW DC mobile charger, provided by Volvo. 

The vehicle’s regenerative braking system also enables some of the energy that would otherwise have been lost when the bus is decelerating, to be successfully recovered as free and clean energy to help power the vehicle.

To date, Volvo’s BZL Electric zero tailpipe emission vehicles have been delivered into service in more than 10 countries around the world and are offered in the UK exclusively with MCV bodywork.