Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) and BYD UK jointly announced that their electric vehicle partnership, the UK’s leading electric bus producer, has taken firm orders from Stagecoach for 46 zero emission buses.

The 24 single deck and 22 double deck buses have been part-funded by the Scottish Government and will be deployed in the operator’s fleets in Aberdeen, Perth and Kilmarnock.

ADL is a subsidiary of leading independent global bus manufacturer NFI Group Inc. (NFI), while BYD is a global leader in batteries, energy management and electric mobility.

The order for electric buses follows the Scottish Government’s award of funding through a second round of the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme, which helps bus companies invest in electric vehicles and associated infrastructure. The Scottish Government has set a legally binding target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, while Stagecoach has recently announced that it is targeting a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2035.

Stagecoach will receive 22 BYD ADL Enviro400EV double deck buses with a length of 10.8m for Aberdeen city services, as well as 15 BYD ADL Enviro200EV for Kilmarnock and nine similar buses for Perth. While the single deckers for Kilmarnock town services will be 10.9m in length, the operator has chosen the longer 11.6m model for Perth to offer additional capacity.

Using BYD’s battery electric driveline technology, ADL will assemble the buses at its factory in Falkirk, ensuring the investment benefits the local economy in Scotland’s Central Belt.

Paul Davies, ADL President & Managing Director, said: “This substantial order of new electric buses continues Stagecoach’s track record of strong investment in cleaner buses. We look forward to working closely with Stagecoach to get these new buses onto the roads of Aberdeen, Perth and Kilmarnock at pace.

“These zero emission buses will be built at our factory in Falkirk and it is great news for Scotland that this investment is being recycled into the local economy, allowing the benefits to be felt across our communities whilst helping to underpin skilled jobs.”

Frank Thorpe, Managing Director at BYD UK, added, “Scotland is blazing a trail with its uptake of eMobility as a public transport solution, and we’re delighted that the BYD ADL partnership is leading the supply of vehicles with our single and double deck models. With the Scottish Government in support, our excellent partnership with major operators such as Stagecoach, and the public’s acceptance of eMobility, we are seeing a decisive shift to a more sustainable transport system”.

Sam Greer, Regional Director for Stagecoach in Scotland, said: “Sustainable public transport is critical to the future of our planet: decarbonising local journeys, reducing road congestion, improving air quality and tackling climate change. We welcome today’s announcement by Scottish Government of additional funding to support the roll out of 46 new electric buses in Scotland.

“This major investment will also provide a boost for Scotland’s world-leading bus manufacturing sector, helping to protect and grow jobs in Scotland. As major investment is made in zero and low emission buses, it also enables us to build further on developing in skills and training for our engineering teams to maintain the new greener fleet as we transition to new zero emission technologies.

“As Scotland gears up to host the COP 26 climate change summit in November, it’s a crucial time for us all to think about how we can help deliver a greener recovery from Covid-19. Major investment in new zero-emission buses also needs to be matched by better road infrastructure and more bus priority measures to help encourage people to make the switch from car to sustainable public transport.”

The award from Scottish Government also includes funding for electric infrastructure for depots. Stagecoach is partnering with Scottish-founded renewal energy company SSE to deliver the new electrical infrastructure needed in Aberdeen and Perth depots.