A single-decker electric bus is being trialled on the streets of Coventry over the next few weeks. National Express Coventry’s fleet of 140 double-deckers are already fully electric.
The single-decker Volvo, which can carry up to 75 passengers, is operating on the 20, 20A and 20B services between the city centre, University Hospital and Wilsons Lane.
In 2022, the city council said Coventry aimed to become the UK’s first all-electric bus city by 2025 and up to 300 new vehicles were set to arrive over three years, says the BBC.
The fully electric single-decker Volvo BZL Electric demonstrator is on loan to National Express Coventry.
Antony Goozee, bus strategy and commercial director for National Express, said as it looked ahead “to update” its single-decker vehicles, it was “great to be working with Volvo to trial” its electric bus.
He added National Express looked forward “to better understanding its capabilities and efficiencies under our usual operating conditions”.
The demonstrator features a four-battery configuration offering a total power output of up to 376kWh and was charged overnight, the bus firm stated.
(Pic – National Express Coventry)
