Range extended electric buses with ultra-caps arrive in London

Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) and BAE Systems have delivered the first 39 hybrid double-deck buses to operator Go-Ahead London. Using ultra-capacitors for range extension, their hybrid buses are the first of a fleet that is to grow to a total of 65 in the British capital.

Bus builder ADL says its Enviro400H uses Series-E hybrid technology, in which the diesel engine acts as generator to produce energy for the electric drive, and thus acts as range extender in other words.

Moreover, an ultra-capacitor energy storage system replaces the previous generation’s batteries. ADL says these ultra-caps will reduce total cost of ownership by not requiring mid-life replacement.

The latest generation of these buses also utilises a more compact direct drive permanent magnet traction motor, which no longer requires a speed reducing gearbox.

Go-Ahead London is the launch customer for this next generation Enviro400H, with the first 39 buses entering service on Transport for London (TfL) route 36 between Queen’s Park and New Cross Gate. Another 26 are on order for routes 77 and 87.

alexander-dennis.com (PI)