It's been five years since bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) unveiled their eye-catching double deck variant, the Enviro400 City!
The body design of the Enviro400 City is based on the New Routemaster (NRM), designed by Heatherwick Studio and manufactured by Wrightbus. Thomas Heatherwick, the founder of Heatherwick Studio, praised the Enviro400 City as a "back-to-front compliment".
Earlier this year, I published an article on how TfL and the previous Mayor encouraged bus manufacturers to improve their double deck design by adopting styling cues from the New Routemaster bus.
The London-spec ADL Enviro400H City (integral diesel-electric hybrid) was unveiled on 30th September 2015 at the Coach & Bus Live at the NEC in Birmingham.
Now let’s take a look at the old press releases from Alexander Dennis launching the Enviro400H City.
From Alexander Dennis
Stylish CITY Looks Streets Ahead
The Enviro400H City is a stunning new variant of Britain’s best-selling double deck bus.
30th September 2015
It is a hybrid vehicle that brings together elegance and practicality and ushers in a contemporary new look that features a raft of sophisticated, yet pragmatic design solutions, all of which give it real street presence. In parallel with this, it retains the passenger comforts and dependability that are the hallmark of the market-leading Enviro400 range.
The 10.4m two-door Enviro400H City sets the pace in terms of style and performance and builds on the unrivalled reputation of the classic Enviro400 MMC (major model change), a vehicle hailed at its launch as the bus “designed by the industry …. for the industry.”
Innovation with Style
Innovation with Style is the hallmark of all new ADL vehicles – and the Enviro400H City is no exception to that rule. It is an inspired successor to the original E400 hybrid and is set to bring a new dimension to public transport in both the suburbs and the built-up city centre of London – and elsewhere.
It features a raked, wrap-round driver’s windscreen with the wipers recessed at the top, a stylish glazed stairwell, and a shallow upper deck windscreen which, combined with other design features, significantly reduces solar gain in warm weather.
The City also retains the same depth of windows as the original Enviro400 MMC, incorporating ADL’s unique QRG (quick release glazing) system, while both the upper and lower deck windows also feature hopper vents, an aspect of the MMC model that has proved hugely popular with operators and passengers in London and across the UK.
Combined with the radical new heating and ventilation system introduced previously on MMC models, the City – with its Enviro200-style asymmetric front windscreen – is set to introduce not only a contemporary new look but an enhanced passenger experience.
From an operator perspective, it also retains the proven structure, driveline, electrical system and ease-of-maintenance improvements introduced by ADL on the original MMC model, all of which were the result of a comprehensive, three-year customer engagement and joint product development programme with operators, drivers, passengers and suppliers from across the industry.
Innovation, style and service simplicity remain omnipresent in the new City.
Inside, the cab is spacious and distracting reflections have been cleverly eliminated, while visibility is further improved with the wrap-around windscreen on the City model, which enhances sight lines to the front, the sides of the vehicle and to well-positioned mirrors.
Enhanced Passenger Experience
Light, airy, welcoming, three words that describe the experience passengers can expect on entering the new Enviro400H City.
They will be struck immediately by the wide entrance and aisles, the ample space for baby buggies and wheelchair users, the natural light that floods in through the wrap-around front windows, the glazed stairwell and the sky-view glazing at the rear of the upper deck.
All round, a bright, convivial ambience matched by a sophisticated temperature control system and hopper windows that combine to provide an enhanced passenger experience, whatever the weather may be on the outside.
The whole interior, both downstairs and upstairs, has been designed so that shapes, colours and materials blend together – and there is no compromise on leg room or seat sizes.
From Alexander Dennis
New-generation London Bus Marks 5,000 Milestone for BAE Systems’ Hybrid Technology
ADL’s New Enviro400H City Bus
ADL’s new version of their market-leading Enviro400 double deck was unveiled today at the opening of Coach & Bus Live, held at the UK’s National Exhibition Centre, in Birmingham, and recognised as one of the major “shop windows” in the European bus industry calendar.
Launching the hybrid City bus Colin Robertson announced that a multi-million order had already been secured for the new bus and 19 will go into service with Arriva London, on Route 78, before the end of this year.
He added: “This is a spectacular, new-look vehicle that will bring a further dimension to transport in the suburbs and the city centre of London. It builds on the ‘London look’ with a glazed stairwell, wrap-over rear saloon windscreen and a series of unique design features that reduce solar gain. Significantly, it also represents an evolution of Britain’s best-selling hybrid bus, our Enviro400 double deck, which has a reputation second-to-none for fuel economy, reduced emissions, reliability and all-round performance, hence the reason that almost 900 ADL hybrids are already in operation across the UK”.
Product video of the Enviro400H City
During early 2016, Alexander Dennis launched the integral diesel with the first orders taken by Blackpool Transport.
From Alexander Dennis
Blackpool Sets the Pace with £2m Enviro400 City Bus Deal
Blackpool Transport is to invest over £2m in a fleet of 10 new-generation Enviro400 City buses.
18th January 2016
As well as a stylish new interior and exterior look, including a glazed stairwell – the new 10.5m double decks will have E-leather seats, wood-effect floors, Wi-Fi and USB charging points, ‘next stop’ visuals and audio announcements.
They will be powered by the latest Euro6, low-emission technology and come complete with fuel saving “smart accessories” and stop-start capability.
Built by Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) the new buses will be delivered in the summer of this year and will be the first one-door variants of the recently introduced City bus. They will have 27 seats and a wheelchair location on the lower deck, and 45 seats in the upper level.
Jane Cole is Managing Director of Blackpool Transport, which has a fleet of 137 buses and accommodates 18m passenger journeys per year. She commented: “The introduction of these leading-edge vehicles forms part of our on-going investment in modern buses. Our aim is to enhance the customer experience, provide value-for-money and encourage people out of their cars and onto public transport.
“The ADL City bus is a stunning, high performance, eco-friendly vehicle that sets the pace and reinforces our commitment to continuous improvement and further enhancement of the passenger experience.”
Richard Matthews, Sales Director ADL Retail Bus and Coach, commented: “We are delighted to be working with Blackpool Transport on this break-through contract. They will be the first transport operator in the country to introduce the one-door 72-seat variant of the Enviro400 City, which we launched just a few months ago. As we said at the time, it brings together style and innovation.
“In addition to the latest low-emission technology, it introduces a whole range of new features. The glazed stairwell is obviously a big attraction, as is the wrap-around driver’s windscreen with the wipers recessed at the top.
“Customers are also intrigued by the combination of the shallow upper deck front window, which – along with hopper windows and other design features – significantly reduces solar heat on warm, sunny days. And, of course, our unique QRG (quick release glazing) continues to be as popular as ever.”
Richard confirmed that ADL is now in discussions with a number of other bus operators, both in London and wider afield, with a view to securing further City bus orders.
Then in 2017, Scania launched their double deck biogas product using ADL’s Enviro400 City bodywork, with the first orders by Nottingham City Transport.
Extracts from Route One
Gas is go for Nottingham’s Enviro400CBG Citys
One of the UK’s most significant bus orders for some time made its public debut on Friday 19 May when the first of 53 biogas-fuelled Scania N 280 UDs with Alexander Dennis Enviro400CBG City bodywork for Nottingham City Transport (NCT) were displayed in the city’s Old Market Square.
Scania’s low carbon strategy in the UK centres on biogas, and it has customised NCT’s Enviro400CBGs slightly at the operator’s request.
Chief among the changes is a range increase to 250 miles. That has been accomplished by increasing the pressure at which gas is stored on the bus to 250bar, something that is only available on buses with the City variant of the Enviro400 body; MMC models stay at 200bar.
Biogas is ready for take-off in Nottingham
Mr Astill explains that the buses – which at 11.4m seat 72 and come in unladen at a shade under 12 tonnes – will start to enter service in mid-June.
30 are scheduled for delivery this year, with the remainder coming in 2018. Most will carry colour-coded liveries for specific routes, and NCT chose the City body to differentiate the biogas buses from its existing diesels.
Given the excellent turn-out at Friday’s launch, the operator’s new double-deckers are catching the public’s eye already. Time will tell whether the rest of the industry responds in the same manner – but things have never looked more promising for biogas.
In mid 2018, the collaboration of BYD and Alexander Dennis enabled the Enviro400 City to become pure a zero-emission electric vehicle (EV), with the first orders by London Bus operator Metroline for their route 43 contract.
Extracts from Alexander Dennis
The winning team of BYD and Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) has scooped the largest part of London’s first order for fully electric double deckers. Thirty seven BYD ADL Enviro400EV buses will enter service with Transport for London (TfL) operator Metroline in the second quarter of 2019.
Using the proven combination of BYD electric technology and batteries and stylish bodywork and passenger-centric interior by ADL, the UK’s double deck market leader, the BYD ADL Enviro400EV is a brand new concept, designed at ADL’s facility in Scotland and BYD’s R&D Centre in Shenzhen, China. The finished buses will be assembled in Britain by ADL as are all BYD ADL joint products.
The 10.9m long electric double deckers will feature ADL’s eye-catching City style bodywork with a glazed staircase and will be built to TfL’s comprehensive specification. They will use BYD’s Iron-Phosphate battery technology which enables the buses to run all day on a single charge using cost effective off-peak electricity.
The buses, based at Metroline’s Holloway Garage in north London, will serve the intensive Route 43 running through the heart of the City of London from London Bridge in the south to Friern Barnet in the north.
During late 2019, First Eastern Counties purchased the new Enviro400 City with Scania N250UD diesel chassis.
From Coach and Bus Week
First Eastern Counties has teased the new fleet for its long-distance excel X1 service which operates from Norwich to Peterborough and is over 75-miles in length in each direction.
The vehicles chosen to replace the fleet of 22 Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400s dating from 2013 are to be ADL Enviro400S City Scania’s with Euro VI diesel engines, making these the first diesel versions produced on the Enviro400 City body and the first Enviro 400 Citys to be used on a long-distance service.
The release on the First Eastern Counties website reads: “Built as a unique combination of a Scania Euro VI diesel chassis and stylish, modern bodywork from Alexander Dennis, we’ve worked with some of the bus industry’s leading designers, suppliers and manufacturers over the last two years to bring you a bus designed and built especially for excel.
Earlier this year (2020) Alexander Dennis launched a new plug-in hybrid double deck product, the Enviro400ER with an option for bus operators to use the City bodywork. The first 100 vehicles have been ordered by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in Ireland.
From Alexander Dennis
The single supplier framework agreement covers the purchase of double deck diesel-electric hybrid buses and will run for up to five years. ADL was selected in a comprehensive procurement process in which the company provided the most economically advantageous offer. The first 100 buses have been firmly ordered and are to be delivered in autumn 2020 and the NTA will be able to exercise options for a further 500 vehicles to reflect vehicle requirements over the coming years.
The Enviro400ER is a double deck diesel-electric hybrid, capable of at least 2.5 kilometres continuous electric range with no exhaust emissions. It utilises the BAE Systems Series-ER hybrid system with a 32kWh next-generation lithium-ion battery energy storage system that can be charged externally via a plug-in connection, meeting the requirements of the European Union’s Clean Vehicles Directive.
In addition to its continuous zero tailpipe emissions range, the Enviro400ER switches off its diesel engine at low speeds during approach to and departure from stops and when stationary.
The buses will be 11.0 metres long and will have City style bodywork which has been adapted to suit requirements in the Republic of Ireland. The first 100 buses will seat 66 passengers and will have separate spaces for wheelchair users and passengers travelling with buggies. The framework agreement provides the opportunity to adjust the specifications of further vehicles to suit other operating requirements.
Alexander Dennis Chief Executive Colin Robertson comments: “We are delighted to have been chosen by Ireland’s National Transport Authority for the supply of up to 600 clean buses. Our Enviro400ER electric range hybrid bus will reduce emissions and passengers will love the smooth journey experience, while drivers are bound to enjoy a great working environment in its spacious cab. This order confirms our strategy of leading the market with the widest range of low and zero emission buses, enabling us to offer the right vehicle for each requirement.”
With the help of Ireland's NTA investment, we may see the Enviro400 City pass the 1,000 vehicle mark.
How many Enviro400 City’s have been built?
According to ‘Bus Lists on the Web’, there are 675 double deck buses built using the Enviro400 City bodywork in various low emission diesel, hybrid, CBG/Biogas (chassis by Scania) and pure electric vehicle (chassis by BYD).
London Bus operators (except demonstrators):
No. of vehicles |
Drive |
Operator |
Fleet Code |
TfL Routes |
53 |
Intergral hybrid |
Arriva London |
HA |
78, 133, 333, N133 |
49 |
BYD EV chassis |
Go-Ahead London |
Ee |
106, 230, 212, 357 |
48 |
Intergral hybrid |
HCT Plus |
25* |
20, 26, 388, N26, N550, N551 |
37 |
BYD EV chassis |
Metroline |
BDE |
43 |
29 |
BYD EV chassis |
RATP London |
BCE |
94 |
Elsewhere in Great Britain (except demonstrators):
No. of vehicles |
Chassis |
Operator |
Fleet Code |
13 |
Integral diesel |
Arriva Cymru |
10* |
59 |
Integral diesel |
Blackpool Transport |
4* |
21 |
Scania N280UD biogas |
CT Plus Bristol |
29* |
19 |
Scania N250UD diesel |
First Eastern Counties |
369* |
10 |
Integral diesel |
First Glasgow |
331* |
78 |
Scania N280UD biogas |
First West of England |
394* |
20 |
Integral diesel |
Go South Coast |
12* |
29 |
BYD EV chassis |
National Express West Midlands |
E* |
119 |
Scania N280UD biogas |
Nottingham City Transport |
4*, 5* |
27 |
Integral diesel |
Plymouth Citybus |
5* |
17 |
Scania N280UD biogas |
Reading Buses |
7* |
2 |
Integral diesel |
Southern Transit |
CM* |
2 |
BYD EV chassis |
Stagecoach Cambridge |
140* |
32 |
BYD EV chassis |
Stagecoach Manchester |
140* |
6 |
Integral diesel |
University Bus (UNO) |
25* |
1 |
Integral diesel |
Wheelers Travel |
|
Demonstrators:
Registration |
Chassis |
Current operator |
Fleet Code |
SN65OHP |
AD E40H SFD823BR2FGX28528 |
HCT Plus |
2538 |
SN66WLK |
AD E40D SFD932BR2GGX39253 |
Courtney Buses |
|
DD18GAS |
Sca N280UD YS2N4X20001910140 |
Nottingham City Transport |
500 |
LF69UXJ |
BYD DD LC04S44R2K1000001 |
RATP London |
BCE47000 |
Total vehicles with City bodywork by chassis:
- Integral diesel (AD E40D) 138
- Integral hybrid (AD E40H) 102
- BYD EV 179
- Scania diesel (Scania N250UD) 19
- Scania biogas (Scania N280UD) 236
Conclusion:
I'd say the ADL's Enviro400 City has been successful alongside the Enviro400 MMC bodywork, although bus manufacturers still order the Enviro400 MMC in diesel or hybrid for their services.
I recognise the glazed staircase is an optional design for bus operators to use because they wish to maximise their advertising space. Bus operators Metroline (certain batches), First Eastern Counties, First West of England, National Express West Midlands, Stagecoach Cambridge and Stagecoach Manchester haven’t adopted the glazed staircase to their fleet.
In London, we expect the Enviro400EV City buses to appear on routes 173, 174, 319 and 673, and according to my previous article, the rollout has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
As I’ve said in my previous articles, I suggest they should build a three-door, two-staircase variant of the Enviro400EV City for London as a potential replacement for the hybrid New Routemaster once they reach their 14 year service.
With respect to other bus manufacturers producing double deck electric buses, I mention the competitor of ADL’s Enviro400EV City is the Metrodecker EV manufactured by Optare and the upcoming Streetdeck FCEV (hydrogen) from Wrightbus/Ryse Hydrogen.
Aside from buses, various EVs are becoming stylish and eye-catching. A few examples are the Cybertruck from Tesla, a new delivery van from Arrival, Volta Zero from Volta Trucks and TX (Taxi) & VN5 (Van) from LEVC.
With the help of BYD-ADL's collaboration on producing the Enviro400EV with City bodywork, we could see different bus manufacturers improving the design of their double deck electric bus products in the near future.
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Related articles
- The real reason why TfL and the Mayor ended the New Routemaster rollout in favour of legacy vehicles containing NRM design cues
- 10 year anniversary of the New Routemaster design
- The zero emission 'New Routemaster spin-off' Enviro400EV City finally entered service on London Buses Route 43
- Should London Buses use a standard interior colour scheme?
