BYD ADL wins contract in London

From left to right: Arthur Whiteside, MD– Sales, Alexander Dennis Ltd; Tim Jackson, CEO, RATP Dev, UK & Ireland; Fiona Taylor, MD, RATP Dev London; Leon Daniels MD, Surface Transport, TfL; Wang Chuanfu, Chairman, BYD; Isbrand Ho, MD BYD Europe; Richard Shillingford, Engineering Director, RATP Dev London and Frank Thorpe, UK Country Manager, BYD

The BYD ADL electric bus partnership been selected as preferred bidder by RATP Dev London for the order of 36 10.8m pure electric buses.

From left to right: Arthur Whiteside, MD– Sales, Alexander Dennis Ltd; Tim Jackson, CEO, RATP Dev, UK & Ireland; Fiona Taylor, MD, RATP Dev London; Leon Daniels MD, Surface Transport, TfL; Wang Chuanfu, Chairman, BYD; Isbrand Ho, MD BYD Europe; Richard Shillingford, Engineering Director, RATP Dev London and Frank Thorpe, UK Country Manager, BYD

Following an evaluation of zero emissions buses from a range of electric bus suppliers, RATP Dev London has entered into a letter of intent for the procurement of BYD ADL’s Enviro200 electric vehicle.

The new buses would be based at London United’s Shepherd’s Bush garage and be deployed on two high frequency TfL bus routes: C1 from Victoria to White City and 70 from South Kensington to Chiswick. These two routes, one of which is already operated by RATP Dev London, are being converted by RATP Dev London to full electric operation following the company’s recent success in winning these routes through Transport for London’s tendering process.

“Our engineering staff have conducted a thorough evaluation of the electric buses currently available in the UK and are pleased to have selected the BYD ADL product for launching our electric operations in London at this time,” said Tim Jackson, CEO of RATP Dev’s UK operations and chairman of its London bus operations. “We look forward to working intensively with BYD ADL over the next few weeks to finalise the terms of this important investment. Our client TfL and our parent RATP are watching this project with great interest and we count on close collaboration with BYD ADL to implement it successfully.”

The BYD ADL Enviro200 10.8m is a new model designed for more restrictive route conditions. Many London streets feature sharp corners and the smaller vehicle – still capable of accommodating 76 passengers – is more appropriate for some routes. Furthermore, like all ADL BYD models, the new buses will complete a full day’s duty cycle without the need for recharging.

“This is a real vote of confidence in the strength of the BYD/ADL partnership and of our proven product range,” added Isbrand Ho, MD of BYD Europe. “The first fleet we supplied in London has performed well and now Londoners will benefit from more of our zero pollution and cost effective electric buses. We are confident of being able to announce further orders shortly.”

Once concluded, the new order will bring the number of ADL BYD electric buses in London to over 100, making it the largest volume of full size electric buses in service in any major European city. 

The terms for the supply of the vehicles are currently being negotiated, with contract signature due shortly, for vehicle delivery in Spring 2018.