Volvo Buses received order for 51 E- Buses from Arriva London

Volvo's BZL Electric chassis and MCV bodies. These buses will operate on TfL routes 243 and 341 from the Tottenham depot.

Warwick, United Kingdom- Volvo Buses., has received an order for 51 units of Volvo BZL battery-electric double-decker buses from Arriva London, a bus operator in London. These buses will be deployed from the Tottenham depot and will serve Transport for London (TfL) routes 243 and 341.

Volvo Buses introduced the BZL Electric chassis in September 2021, designed for both single- and double-decker buses with various body options and developed drivetrain. Early last year, Volvo Buses ceased complete bus manufacturing in Europe, and a month later, announced that Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles (MCV) would produce the bodies for their electric buses.

The 51 electric buses ordered by Arriva London will feature Volvo chassis and bodies by MCV. These double-decker buses will have a single electric motor with a continuous output of 167 kW and peak output of 200 kW, with battery packs up to 470 kWh. Charging options include up to 150 kW DC via cable or up to 300 kW via OppCharge. It is yet to be determined how they will be charged, but they will operate from the Tottenham depot on TfL routes 243 and 341.

Mr. Domenico Bondi, Managing Director of Volvo Bus UK and Ireland, said, Incidentally, this is the first time Arriva has ordered electric buses based on the BZL Electric chassis. “So, we are proud and excited to be supplying Arriva London with all-electric buses in that instantly recognisable red livery. Our relationship stretches back years and our respective teams have collaborated to meet the requirements from TfL and help to reduce emissions in the capital.”

Mr. Marcos Hart, Managing Director of Arriva UK Bus in London, said, “Arriva UK bus is committed to decarbonising our fleet in London, and this most recent order with Volvo builds on the millions of pounds we have already invested in creating the clean, electrified and efficient public transport networks that communities in the capital deserve.”

In addition to Volvo Buses, Arriva also sources from Wrightbus. Last year, Arriva ordered 50 electric double-deckers from the Northern Irish manufacturer, followed by 34 more at the end of 2023. This year, Wrightbus announced it would deliver 76 electric double-deckers and eleven electric solo buses to Arriva.