Alexander Dennis has revealed first details of a hydrogen fuelcell version of its Enviro400 double-decker, as Scania and the commercial vehicle drivetrain division of CNH-owned Iveco have also unveiled plans to apply this zero-emission technology to commercial vehicles.
The Enviro400 development vehicle was built three years ago and has been undertaking route shadowing trials in several cities where the manufacturer says it has delivered what it believes are best in class efficiency and fuel economy.
It is now seeking orders for the bus, which rivals the hydrogen fuel-cell StreetDeck exhibited by Wrightbus at Euro Bus Expo in November. Fifty of the Wright vehicles are expected to be built for operation in London, Birmingham and Aberdeen as part of the pan-European JIVE project that is intended to accelerate the development of this technology.
A second round of funding is likely to add Dundee and Brighton & Hove to the UK cities operating hydrogen fuel-cell buses.
Alexander Dennis says hydrogen fuel-cell technology can offer long range zero emission capability if suitable infrastructure can be put in place with sustainably sourced hydrogen. ‘This could offer particular benefits for high capacity double-deck buses,’ it says.
