Alexander Dennis, proud of the progress on its new electric range, invited customers and press to test them out. JAMES DAY takes the opportunity to drive buses for the first time
UTAC’s Millbrook Proving Ground has been used to test and fin-etune many new bus models over the years. The location offers a range of different tracks and facilities, which can be used to assess how vehicles cope with different road surfaces, inclines and hazards.
Currently, Alexander Dennis is testing its new Enviro100EV and Enviro400EV at the location, along with a hydrogen double-decker. It invited customers and trade press journalists to visit over a three day event, giving them the opportunity to test drive and ride the new electric buses. Two examples of each were present.
Strong results
The Enviro400EV is the vehicle furthest down the testing pipeline. Both of them carried personalised registration plates -AD24 ZEB and AD24 BEV - and are approaching the end of their validation phase. Long-term endurance testing is ongoing.
The Enviro100EV is about four months behind the double-decker, since the initial focus has been on the larger vehicle. It is therefore still undergoing tuning, and both single-deckers present had …
