Alexander Dennis Launches New Enviro100AEV Electric Bus

Hello, Champions of Net Zero!

In an exciting development for sustainable transportation, bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis has achieved a significant milestone by unveiling the first Enviro100AEV autonomous electric bus as part of the groundbreaking Connector project in Cambridge. This innovative vehicle is set to undergo track testing, marking a pivotal step towards revolutionising the way we approach public transport.

The Connector project, which aims to explore the potential of autonomous vehicles in urban settings, is supported by Innovate UK and led by the Greater Cambridge Partnership. This ambitious consortium includes notable partners such as Fusion Processing, IPG Automotive, dRISK, Gamma Energy, and of course, Alexander Dennis. The initiative also receives backing from the UK Government’s Centre for Connected & Autonomous Vehicles, highlighting the importance of this project in the broader context of advancing transportation technology.

Representatives from the consortium gathered at Alexander Dennis’s state-of-the-art technology hub in Farnborough for the unveiling ceremony of the Enviro100AEV. This event not only celebrated the completion of the bus but also showcased the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders committed to pushing the boundaries of transport innovation.

One of the unique aspects of the Connector project is its innovative funding model. The Enviro100AEV buses will be owned by Mistral Group and leased to the Greater Cambridge Partnership, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to financing sustainable transport solutions. This model aims to facilitate the deployment of state-of-the-art electric buses while ensuring that the financial burden is shared among the involved parties, thereby promoting a sustainable ecosystem for public transport.

As the Enviro100AEV gears up for its track-based testing phase, it will undergo rigorous calibration and fine-tuning of Fusion Processing’s CAVStar automated drive system. This meticulous process is essential to ensure that the bus operates seamlessly in real-world conditions. Following the completion of these tests, safety drivers will undergo training to provide on-board supervision when public services commence later this year at the prestigious Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

Jamie Wilson, Head of Concepts & Advanced Engineering at Alexander Dennis, expressed his enthusiasm regarding this pivotal moment: “The completion of the first Enviro100AEV is a great milestone for the Connector project as we now enter a phase of vehicle testing to ready the technology for public services. This builds on the substantial work we have done with Fusion Processing and other partners in similar projects to further refine this technology as we continue to explore use cases where autonomous buses can improve operational efficiency and add flexibility to transport networks.”

The implications of the Connector project extend beyond the immediate benefits of autonomous transport; it represents a significant opportunity for Cambridge to establish itself as a leader in innovation. Cllr Elisa Meschini, Chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Executive Board, highlighted this potential during the unveiling, stating: “Connector will see autonomous vehicles being trialled on our city’s roads to investigate their potential to transform the way people travel. This is a significant opportunity for Cambridge to lead the way in innovation, paving the way for more sustainable and efficient ways to get to where people need to go. Seeing the first vehicle arrive and be ready for testing is a testament to the collaborative efforts of everyone involved with the consortium and I look forward to seeing how this technology can potentially shape the future of public transport.”

The Enviro100AEV is not just a technological marvel; it embodies a vision for the future of urban mobility—one that prioritises sustainability, efficiency, and the intelligent integration of autonomous systems into the existing transport framework. As we look ahead, the success of the Connector project could set a precedent for similar initiatives across the UK and beyond, pushing the envelope on what is possible in public transport.

Image courtesy of Alexander Dennis

The post Alexander Dennis unveils Enviro100AEV appeared first on Transport + Energy.

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