REVIEW
As buses and coaches return to the NEC after a three-year absence, JAMES DAY covers the highlights of this year’s show, dominated by PSVAR-compliant coaches and potential electric replacements for the Optare Solo
Alexander Dennis
Along with a BYD / Alexander Dennis Enviro200EV and a PSVAR-compliant Plaxton Leopard coach, the Alexander Dennis stand displayed two major new developments.
The highlight was part of the chassis from the company’s next generation of battery-electric buses, providing an early preview of the new Enviro100EV and Enviro400EV, the latter an entirely inhouse alternative to the BYD / Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV. The company says orders have already been received for both models, with the first fully built examples expected to arrive in 2023, but it did not want to rush the product to market.
The Enviro100EV is a 8.5m midibus, 2.35m wide. It will have up to 25 seats and accommodate a total of up to 45 passengers, with a stated range of 285 miles on a single charge. The vehicle was one of several electric buses either displayed or announced at the show which are designed to compete in the market for a zero emission Optare Solo replacement.
The Enviro400EV meanwhile will of…
