Order for 33 Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 EVs for Sound Transit.

[MasterSpenny]

Sound Transit has placed a new order for 33 Enviro 500 EV buses from Alexander Dennis, introducing their battery electric technology to North America. These buses are due in 2026.

Sound Transit orders 33 Alexander Dennis Enviro500EV electric double deckers with next-generation technology for Stride BRT | Alexander Dennis

Alexander Dennis, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, today announced that it will introduce its next-generation electric bus technology to North America following its successful launch in the UK and the Asia-Pacific region. Sound...

www.alexander-dennis.com

Alexander Dennis, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, today announced that it will introduce its next-generation electric bus technology to North America following its successful launch in the UK and the Asia-Pacific region.

Sound Transit, which provides regional transit in the Seattle metropolitan area, has placed a firm order for 33 zero-emission Enviro500EV buses. The double deckers are scheduled for delivery in 2026 by Alexander Dennis Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Alexander Dennis, and will be built in the United States by Alexander Dennis’s partner Big Rig Manufacturing.


The electric buses will serve the new Stride bus rapid transit (BRT) which Sound Transit is developing along Interstate 405 to link communities north, east and south of Lake Washington to one another and to light rail connections.

Sound Transit was an early adopter of the unique benefits of double deck buses and today uses a fleet of 50 Enviro500 on express routes operating out of Everett. Double deckers are a firm favourite with Sound Transit passengers. This made them the bus of choice for Stride to give passengers a comfortable ride over the 19-mile S1 and 20-mile S2 routes, where new bus lanes and transit priority improvements will help riders avoid traffic.

The Stride Enviro500EV will be the first Alexander Dennis in North America using the manufacturer’s next-generation zero-emission technology platform. They combine the efficient Voith Electrical Drive System with increased energy storage capacity and the North American industry-first use of wireless, inductive on-route charging on double deck buses, via Pennsylvania-based InductEV, to enhance range and operational performance.

“This award highlights the resurging demand for our double deck buses in North America”

Stephen Walsh, Vice President for Alexander Dennis in North America, said: “We are excited to once again be working with our long-standing customer Sound Transit in the Puget Sound region who have selected our Enviro500EV with next-generation technology for their new Stride bus rapid transit service.

“This award highlights the resurging demand for our double deck buses in North America following the relaunch of Buy America-compliant production with Big Rig Manufacturing.

“The order was placed after we completed extensive route mapping exercises in conjunction with Sound Transit, using automotive-grade modelling to fully understand the operational requirements. This ensures that the Enviro500EV will take Stride in their stride and give riders a smooth journey experience.”

 

[johncrossley]

Note that they are getting the 500 which is a higher specification bus than the 400 which plagues the UK. Presumably these will have air-conditioning, despite the Seattle climate being very similar to the British climate.

 

[northwichcat]

Note that they are getting the 500 which is a higher specification bus than the 400 which plagues the UK. Presumably these will have air-conditioning, despite the Seattle climate being very similar to the British climate.

Just doing a quick Google it looks like Seattle has significantly fewer rainy days over the summer months.

 

[johncrossley]

Just doing a quick Google it looks like Seattle has significantly fewer rainy days over the summer months.

Air conditioning is also desirable (alongside double glazing) in rainy conditions to prevent the very unpleasant steaming up of windows. Anyone who travels on buses regularly in London knows that it very unpleasant for much of the year. Either too hot, steamed up, or too cold because of other passengers opening the window. Presumably Seattle won't have these problems.

 

[duncombec]

Note that they are getting the 500 which is a higher specification bus than the 400 which plagues the UK. Presumably these will have air-conditioning, despite the Seattle climate being very similar to the British climate.

Isn't the E500 basically just the tri-axle version of the 400, rather than being "higher specification"? (Yes, I know the "XLB" was produced subsequently - does anyone know the actual differences between an XLB and a 500?)

Pictures online of the existing fleet suggest sealed windows, and thus yes, air conditioning seems likely. Granted, my US colleagues tell me AirCon is all but ubiquitous, but nice to get your regular hobby horse ticked off!

Indeed... as far as I can tell, the E400 was only provided to North America in Open Top form, and I thought I'd seen somewhere that they have to have three axles there (thus a 500) for weight limit reasons? The e500 also isn't currently offered in the UK.

 

[ac6000cw]

I thought I'd seen somewhere that they have to have three axles there (thus a 500) for weight limit reasons?

It can vary from state to state, but for for trucks the Federal axle-load limit is 20,000 lbs (9100 kg). Buses are allowed higher axle loads in some states e.g. California allows 22,000 lbs (or 23,000 lbs for zero-emission) for modern vehicles - see https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/barcu/regact/2018/ict2018/appn.pdf

The spec sheet for the US-spec tri-axle 'Enviro500EV CHARGE' states "Gross vehicle weight 60,878lbs (27,600kg)".

 

[Speed43125]

Isn't the E500 basically just the tri-axle version of the 400, rather than being "higher specification"? (Yes, I know the "XLB" was produced subsequently - does anyone know the actual differences between an XLB and a 500?)

There's a few differences such as the front axle which is further back on the 400XLB as approach angles are less of a concern here than, in Hong Kong say. Air conditioning is also an integrated feature of the 500, whereas the UK XLBs are as you say built on the 400 body which come standard with only heating in the saloon.

 

[jeffery9098]

The fact they are buying 33 electric buses shows how expensive the Enviro500EV is to buy