NFI subsidiary Alexander Dennis’ next-gen Enviro400EV confirmed as the most efficient battery-electric double-decker tested via Zemo in the UK

LARBERT, United Kingdom, Feb. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (TSX: NFI, OTC: NFYEF, TSX: NFI.DB) NFI Group Inc. (NFI or the Company), a leading independent bus and coach manufacturer and a leader in electric mass mobility solutions, subsidiary Alexander Dennis Limited (Alexander Dennis) today announced that its next-generation Enviro400EV electric double decker has completed the Zemo Partnership’s zero-emission bus testing and certification program.

The work, which was undertaken at UTAC’s approved test facility at Millbrook Proving Ground, confirms an average energy consumption of just 0.67kWh/km across the UK Bus Cycle. This makes the next-generation Enviro400EV the most efficient battery-electric double decker tested to Zemo Partnership standards to date, delivering a 10% efficiency advantage over competitors’ vehicles of comparable battery size.

The Zemo Partnership certifies vehicles following independent physical testing to ensure public money such as the UK Government’s Zero-Emission Regional Bus Areas (ZEBRA) or the Scottish Government’s Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) supports proven zero-emission vehicle technologies that will perform in service. The certificates provide an independent means for operators to compare different suppliers and technologies on a like-for-like basis.

The UK Bus Cycle represents a mix of common operating conditions with separate phases modelled on inner urban, outer urban and rural routes. Thanks to its use of the heavy-duty version of the Voith Electrical Drive System, the Enviro400EV is extremely efficient across all parts of the cycle including the demanding inner urban element. This ensures operators will be able to minimize their energy costs even on highly intensive services in such as those in London, boosting value and keeping total cost of ownership low.

Combined with the Enviro400EV’s future-proof battery system, which is supplied by Impact Clean Power Technology and allows 88% of its 472kWh capacity to be used, the 0.67kWh/km energy consumption in the UK Bus Cycle gives the electric double decker a stunning theoretical operating range of up to 620km (385 miles) on a single charge.

Alexander Dennis uses automotive industry-standard modelling tools to calculate indicative illustrations of efficiency, range, and battery degradation under real-world conditions for an operator’s specific routes. This multi-physics simulation is conducted in collaboration with operators and is the most reliable guide to actual performance on any given duty cycle, giving customers the peace of mind that their next-generation electric buses will perform as required.