US e-bus builder Proterra and British bus and coach manufacturer Alexander Dennis (ADI) are collaborating to produce an electric double-decker bus for California’s Foothill Transit. The new e-bus will enter service in 2019. Foothill Transit already has several Proterra buses in service, and plans to completely electrify its fleet by 2030.

Alexander Dennis has been building buses for over a century, and claims the title of the world’s largest double-decker bus manufacturer. Its vehicles are familiar sights in London, and are also in service in Hong Kong, Auckland, Singapore, Toronto, Ottawa, Seattle and Mexico City.

ADI chose Proterra’s E2 battery technology for its Enviro500 platform in North America. Proterra claims a couple of titles of its own – the company says its E2 battery packs represent the heavy-duty industry’s highest pack-level energy density at 160 Wh/kg and 260 Wh/L. An E2-equipped Proterra Catalyst bus set a new world record for range in 2017, achieving 1,101 miles on a single charge.

The Alexander Dennis Enviro500 buses will also be equipped with Proterra charging hardware and battery thermal management.

“The Alexander Dennis design and ride quality impressed our most discerning customers during an extended demo through downtown Los Angeles,” said Doran Barnes, Executive Director at Foothill Transit. “As congestion intensifies across Southern California, every inch of road space matters, so increasing passenger occupancy [is important].”

“We’re seeing increasing global demand for electric buses that combine high passenger capacity and comfort,” said ADI President Robert Davey.

Source: Proterra