Volvo Bus UK and Ireland has completed the delivery of 72 BZL Electric battery-electric double-decks to Arriva London at its Tottenham depot. They represent a further phase of work on fleet and facilities renewal by Arriva as part of a £340 million investment by the group.
Volvo will also supply 63 diesel B8RLE single-decks with MCV Evora bodywork to Arriva in Q4, with those to be allocated to operations in Bangor, Luton and Luton Airport, and Teesside. They will follow examples of the same combination already with Arriva UK Bus operating companies.
Managing Director Martijn Gilbert notes how Volvo vehicles “continue to perform strongly in urban and rural service areas, giving us confidence in their reliability and day-to-day operational efficiency.”
Mr Gilbert adds that drivers appreciate the handling qualities of the BZL electric chassis along with its quiet ride. The manufacturer’s dealership coverage “has also been a key factor in our continued investment in new Volvos across the country,” he says.
Each Volvo with Arriva is supported “by the full strength of our national Volvo Truck and Bus dealerpoint network, spanning more than 80 locations across the UK,” continues Volvo Bus UK and Ireland Service Market Director Daniel Tanner.
He notes how such a footprint ensures that customers have rapid access to expertise, routine maintenance, and responsive aftersales support. That includes a specialist parts facility at Volvo’s Loughborough body and paint shop. It holds an extensive inventory of bodywork components from glazing, mouldings and exterior panels to interior fittings and spare seats.
The BZL Electric platform uses a 200kW electric driveline made up of a motor coupled to a two-speed automated gearbox and a conventional rear axle. Such a configuration suits easy maintenance, the supplier says. Each bus has five batteries for a total energy storage of 470kWh.
Volvo Bus UK and Ireland Sales Director Richard Mann has thanked Arriva for its ongoing business on the BZL and B8RLE platforms, noting that it represents “a clear endorsement of the real-world operation of our vehicles.”
He continues: “We are proud of the success seen so far, and we attribute that to consistent performance and the strength of our aftersales support. I look forward to continuing to build on our longstanding partnership.”
[adrotate banner=”44″]
