Stagecoach orders 402 electric buses from Alexander Dennis and Yutong

[Volvodart]

Mod note: split from this thread https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/bus-manufacturer-news-discussion.185467/

Stagecoach orders 244 next-generation electric buses with ZEBRA 2 funding in Alexander Dennis’ largest zero-emission order to date

Stagecoach orders 244 next-generation electric buses with ZEBRA 2 funding in Alexander Dennis’ largest zero-emission order to date | Alexander Dennis

Alexander Dennis, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, today announced that it has taken a firm order from transport group Stagecoach for 244 of its next-generation zero-emission buses. Stagecoach supported numerous local authorities...

www.alexander-dennis.com

Alexander Dennis, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, today announced that it has taken a firm order from transport group Stagecoach for 244 of its next-generation zero-emission buses.

Stagecoach supported numerous local authorities across England in successful bids to the second round of the UK Government’s Zero-Emission Regional Bus Areas scheme (ZEBRA 2). Following the funding award, the group has now been able to place the largest single order of Alexander Dennis’ zero-emission buses to date.

180 new Enviro400EV double deckers will join similar vehicles bought by Stagecoach with earlier ZEBRA 1 funding that are currently being delivered and commissioned for service. The Enviro400EV combines a benchmark energy efficiency of just 0.67kWh/km over the UK Bus Cycle with 472kWh batteries and class-leading warrantable energy throughput of up to 1.6GWh to deliver an attractive total cost of ownership proposition.

In addition, there will also be 54 Enviro200EV in lengths of 10.9m and 11.7m. This is the first order for Alexander Dennis’s new integral single decker, which will launch next year to complement the current range of next-generation electric buses.

10 Enviro100EV small buses complete Stagecoach’s order. At just 8.5m in length and a width of 2.35m, the Enviro100EV is a highly manoeuvrable choice for town services which offers the same durability and comfort as larger buses as well as a substantial operational range from its 354kWh batteries.

All Enviro400EV, Enviro200EV and Enviro100EV ordered with ZEBRA 2 funding will be delivered to Stagecoach’s operating companies in England during 2025 and 2026.

“This landmark deal with Stagecoach confirms the benefits of our next-generation electric buses”

Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis President & Managing Director, said: “This landmark deal with Stagecoach confirms the benefits of our next-generation electric buses, which have been carefully designed to deliver a highly attractive total cost of ownership proposition.

“We are particularly delighted that Stagecoach will benefit from our platform approach to vehicle development, which maximises the number of common parts and solutions across all three vehicle types to make them easy to drive and maintain. Our Enviro100EV ‘big small bus’, the new Enviro200EV all-rounder and the crowd-shifting Enviro400EV double decker will be driving value together through efficiency, longevity and flexibility.”

Claire Miles, Chief Executive Officer for Stagecoach, said: “We’re excited to place the largest electric vehicle order to date for Alexander Dennis with these 244 new vehicles, which reflect Stagecoach’s commitment to transition to a zero-emission bus fleet. We will continue to build on our work to tackle climate change and connect communities across the UK sustainably and efficiently.”

 

[aswilliamsuk]

Stagecoach orders 244 next-generation electric buses with ZEBRA 2 funding in Alexander Dennis’ largest zero-emission order to date

Stagecoach orders 244 next-generation electric buses with ZEBRA 2 funding in Alexander Dennis’ largest zero-emission order to date | Alexander Dennis

Alexander Dennis, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, today announced that it has taken a firm order from transport group Stagecoach for 244 of its next-generation zero-emission buses. Stagecoach supported numerous local authorities...

www.alexander-dennis.com

I'm genuinely surprised that Stagecoach haven't ordered entirely ADL for their ZEBRA 2 needs - they got funding for 367 vehicles, which makes me wonder what else they are ordering...

 

[fgwrich]

Stagecoach orders 244 next-generation electric buses with ZEBRA 2 funding in Alexander Dennis’ largest zero-emission order to date

Stagecoach orders 244 next-generation electric buses with ZEBRA 2 funding in Alexander Dennis’ largest zero-emission order to date | Alexander Dennis

Alexander Dennis, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, today announced that it has taken a firm order from transport group Stagecoach for 244 of its next-generation zero-emission buses. Stagecoach supported numerous local authorities...

www.alexander-dennis.com

Intresting, do we have any idea of the allocations for these yet? I wonder with recent contract wins, and First going entirely electric, how many of those could be for South (Portsmouth) and the new MMCs cascaded to the other end of the Coastliner 700 route which is still using the older 2018 plate MMCs. It's not as crazy as it sounds as First has pretty much just done the same with the Eclipse Streetlites in the Solent fleet.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Intresting, do we have any idea of the allocations for these yet? I wonder with recent contract wins, and First going entirely electric, how many of those could be for South (Portsmouth) and the new MMCs cascaded to the other end of the Coastliner 700 route which is still using the older 2018 plate MMCs. It's not as crazy as it sounds as First has pretty much just done the same with the Eclipse Streetlites in the Solent fleet.

Unlikely as they haven't got funding AFAIK - weren't the First ones part of the ZEBRA1 scheme. The ZEBRA2 thread has the disposition of funding by area and this link:

Government announces £143m ZEBRA 2 funding allocations - routeone

The government has revealed the distribution of £143 million in funding made via the second round of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas scheme (ZEBRA 2).

www.route-one.net

Expect them to go to places such as Sunderland (I think), Torbay, Northants and Derbyshire (among others). West Sussex might be Metrobus or Stagecoach??

 

[gka472l]

Intresting, do we have any idea of the allocations for these yet? I wonder with recent contract wins, and First going entirely electric, how many of those could be for South (Portsmouth) and the new MMCs cascaded to the other end of the Coastliner 700 route which is still using the older 2018 plate MMCs. It's not as crazy as it sounds as First has pretty much just done the same with the Eclipse Streetlites in the Solent fleet.

Certainly 58 double deckers should be for Stagecoach Merseyside at Gillmoss, a number should also go to Devon for Torquay (12/22 routes) and I think North Devon is due an amount for the 21.....

 

[37114]

I'm genuinely surprised that Stagecoach haven't ordered entirely ADL for their ZEBRA 2 needs - they got funding for 367 vehicles, which makes me wonder what else they are ordering...

Yep, 123 of other manufacturers which is conveniently 33.3% of the order so may point to a deliberate split to dual source from different manufacturers. Stagecoach have previously bought Volvo BZL electric buses in large numbers so may give a clue.

 

[cnjb8]

Yep, 123 of other manufacturers which is conveniently 33.3% of the order so may point to a deliberate split to dual source from different manufacturers. Stagecoach have previously bought Volvo BZL electric buses in large numbers so may give a clue.

And its better to spread out manufacturers, that way they aren't waiting ages for ADL to make 300+ buses when they will have other ZEBRA orders

 

[EnviroExplorer]

Intresting, do we have any idea of the allocations for these yet? I wonder with recent contract wins, and First going entirely electric, how many of those could be for South (Portsmouth) and the new MMCs cascaded to the other end of the Coastliner 700 route which is still using the older 2018 plate MMCs. It's not as crazy as it sounds as First has pretty much just done the same with the Eclipse Streetlites in the Solent fleet.

Stagecoach Midlands at Leamington Spa and Nuneaton will be due electric singles and doubles at some point, with the desire for all buses into Coventry to be Electric from the end of 2025. I wouldn’t be surprised if an alternative manufacturer is opted for the singles especially though.

 

[Goldfish62]

Stagecoach orders 244 next-generation electric buses with ZEBRA 2 funding in Alexander Dennis’ largest zero-emission order to date

Stagecoach orders 244 next-generation electric buses with ZEBRA 2 funding in Alexander Dennis’ largest zero-emission order to date | Alexander Dennis

Alexander Dennis, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, today announced that it has taken a firm order from transport group Stagecoach for 244 of its next-generation zero-emission buses. Stagecoach supported numerous local authorities...

www.alexander-dennis.com

After a slow start there have now been orders from Reading then this monster order from Stagecoach. Great news for ADL.

 

[GusB]

We now know where the other Stagecoach vehicles are coming from:

Stagecoach to take 158 Yutongs in landmark order - Bus & Coach Buyer

Stagecoach has confirmed a further 158 orders from Pelican Bus and Coach. In addition to the recent 23 single-deckers delivered to Sheffield, Pelican has been awarded further orders totalling 158 single-deck electric buses. These orders will mean that Stagecoach is the largest operator of Yutong...

www.busandcoachbuyer.com

Stagecoach has confirmed a further 158 orders from Pelican Bus and Coach.

In addition to the recent 23 single-deckers delivered to Sheffield, Pelican has been awarded further orders totalling 158 single-deck electric buses. These orders will mean that Stagecoach is the largest operator of Yutong electric vehicles in the UK, with over 200 orders.

The vehicles are to enter service throughout Stagecoach’s depots in England, including:

Chesterfield
Slatyford
Rugby
Leamington
Nuneaton
Stockton
Preston
Sunderland
The buses will be jointly funded by Stagecoach and local and national government through three different funding streams. These are the Sunderland – Levelling up fund, Coventry’s Full Electric City scheme and the second round of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) funding.

 

[MotCO]

We now know where the other Stagecoach vehicles are coming from:

Stagecoach to take 158 Yutongs in landmark order - Bus & Coach Buyer

Stagecoach has confirmed a further 158 orders from Pelican Bus and Coach. In addition to the recent 23 single-deckers delivered to Sheffield, Pelican has been awarded further orders totalling 158 single-deck electric buses. These orders will mean that Stagecoach is the largest operator of Yutong...

www.busandcoachbuyer.com

I onder why they have gone for so many Yutongs? I can't imagine that they have forsaken ADL 200s on the basis of reliability since the ADL 200s are untried. So it must be on price (is there any diference in price between Yutongs and ADL? We heard there was a price difference between ADL400s and the BYD double decker of £100,000) or delivery times.

 

[GusB]

I onder why they have gone for so many Yutongs? I can't imagine that they have forsaken ADL 200s on the basis of reliability since the ADL 200s are untried. So it must be on price (is there any diference in price between Yutongs and ADL? We heard there was a price difference between ADL400s and the BYD double decker of £100,000) or delivery times.

Delivery times, I suspect. I didn't quote the full article, but at the end it says they'll start arriving from July 2024.

 

[hst43102]

I onder why they have gone for so many Yutongs? I can't imagine that they have forsaken ADL 200s on the basis of reliability since the ADL 200s are untried. So it must be on price (is there any diference in price between Yutongs and ADL? We heard there was a price difference between ADL400s and the BYD double decker of £100,000) or delivery times.

Obviously none of us have had any experience on the E200EV as it's not been built yet, but I can say from a passenger point of view, Yutong buses are probably the best currently available. Add the (presumably competitive) price and excellent aftersales support, and it should make sense!

 

[Edvid]

Delivery times, I suspect. I didn't quote the full article, but at the end it says they'll start arriving from July 2024.

Mention of the Coventry All Electric Bus City scheme and Nuneaton would suggest route 148 is included. That, and the date would explain why the Leicester BSIP June 2024 update - despite no word on further AEBC orders (beyond the 130 BYD E400EVs for National Express Coventry) before today - has Stagecoach as remaining on track to acquire 18 electrics this summer.

When was the last time a UK operator went public with 400+ buses ordered on the same day? Has to be a first where zero-emission buses are concerned.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Give me a utong any day

 

[JonathanH]

Give me a utong any day

Should we be offshoring bus manufacturing in such a big way?

 

[MCR247]

Should we be offshoring bus manufacturing in such a big way?

If they are producing the best vehicles (which in my opinion Yutongs are), then yes

 

[GusB]

Should we be offshoring bus manufacturing in such a big way?

Er, 244 of the buses ordered will come from Alexander Dennis - that's hardly offshoring!

 

[hst43102]

Should we be offshoring bus manufacturing in such a big way?

Interior fitment and finishing are done in Yorkshire as well.

 

[Fox192]

Are Hull getting any of this order?

 

[Edvid]

Yes - 19 buses for routes 3 and 5, according to a ZEBRA 2 thread post:

Hull City and East Riding of Yorkshire Council - £5.7m in ZEBRA grant for 40 EVs - 21 for East Yorkshire routes 56, 57 and 66 and 19 for Stagecoach Hull routes 3 and 5.

 

[cnjb8]

We now know where the other Stagecoach vehicles are coming from:

Stagecoach to take 158 Yutongs in landmark order - Bus & Coach Buyer

Stagecoach has confirmed a further 158 orders from Pelican Bus and Coach. In addition to the recent 23 single-deckers delivered to Sheffield, Pelican has been awarded further orders totalling 158 single-deck electric buses. These orders will mean that Stagecoach is the largest operator of Yutong...

www.busandcoachbuyer.com

I believe the Sunderland part of this order was ordered late 2023, hence why the arrival date starts from July

 

[randyrippley]

Delivery times, I suspect. I didn't quote the full article, but at the end it says they'll start arriving from July 2024.

If you mean the Yutong buses, then that implies they're already on a boat heading here from China
Are you sure you've got the right year?

 

[GusB]

If you mean the Yutong buses, then that implies they're already on a boat heading here from China
Are you sure you've got the right year?

I'm sure that I can read!

 

[fgwrich]

We now know where the other Stagecoach vehicles are coming from:

Stagecoach to take 158 Yutongs in landmark order - Bus & Coach Buyer

Stagecoach has confirmed a further 158 orders from Pelican Bus and Coach. In addition to the recent 23 single-deckers delivered to Sheffield, Pelican has been awarded further orders totalling 158 single-deck electric buses. These orders will mean that Stagecoach is the largest operator of Yutong...

www.busandcoachbuyer.com

If you mean the Yutong buses, then that implies they're already on a boat heading here from China
Are you sure you've got the right year?

The vehicles will be delivered from July 2024, with all delivered before Q3 2025. The orders were only placed within the past few weeks, which Pelican Bus and Coach says demonstrates how quickly Stagecoach and Pelican can implement the roll out of zero tailpipe emission vehicles.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Should we be offshoring bus manufacturing in such a big way?

As a regular and high mileage bus passenger, I'm sorry but I'd rather have offshore built quality than UK built. Cheap nasty rattly crap, and yes, I suppose the point you're trying to make here is that we should be buying British but if that means rubbish quality from the likes of adl or wrights then I'm quite happy to see vehicles being sent halfway around the world on cargo ships. And I'll simply buy British made products for other things instead

 

[Mollman]

If you mean the Yutong buses, then that implies they're already on a boat heading here from China
Are you sure you've got the right year?

I believe the ones for Preston are private contract related rather than ZEBRA funded. There seems to be a trend to not announce some orders until you can announce it as part of a bigger one or close to delivery (see Trent Barton for the latter)

 

[cactustwirly]

I don't agree, we shouldn't be funding the political regime in China. I disagree with Chinese made products.

There should be a 100% import tax on Chinese made vehicles in and ideal world

 

[Blindtraveler]

I don't agree, we shouldn't be funding the political regime in China. I disagree with Chinese made products.

There should be a 100% import tax on Chinese made vehicles in and ideal world

And will you use that import tax to train the cheap skate shonky suppliers to build buses that actually aren't a complete bag of nails
. Anyhow, probably getting off topic

 

[Robertj21a]

I don't agree, we shouldn't be funding the political regime in China. I disagree with Chinese made products.

There should be a 100% import tax on Chinese made vehicles in and ideal world

It would be nice to agree with you, but it's quite unrealistic in this day and age.
If ADL and Wrights timescales and quality were as good as the Yutongs are it wouldn't have been necessary for many respected UK operators to buy foreign.