Chinese takeaways: the new electric buses have been delivered to South Croydon Garage, for use across four routes: 60, 405, 412 and 466
Our transport correspondent, JEREMY CLACKSON, on TfL’s latest zero-carbon infrastructure improvements
A fleet of electric buses is ready to take to the streets of Croydon and beyond.
Major electrical infrastructure works at South Croydon Garage on Brighton Road are close to completion (though they have taken longer than had been hoped), and the bright red, made-in-China BYD double-deckers are parked up and ready to be brought into operation.
Operated by Arriva London South, the buses are expected to be used on routes 60 (Old Coulsdon-Purley-West Croydon-Streatham), 405 (Redhill-Coulsdon South-Purley-Croydon), 412 (Purley-Sanderstead-Croydon) and the 466 (Addington Village-Shirley-Croydon-Purley-Old Coulsdon-Caterham on the Hill)
Double-decker: Superloop route SL5 has been using the electric buses for around six months
Some of the new electric buses have been introduced gradually in the past week on the long 466 route from Addington Village to Caterham-on-the-Hill.
The BYD B11 double-deckers cost about £400,000 each, and are part of a deal with the Chinese manufacturers last year to supply 100 vehicles for London.
Designed specifically for use in the capital, the BD11 features a 532kWh battery, making it the largest electric commercial vehicle currently available in Britain. It is reckoned to have a range of 400 miles.
The buses can each accommodate up to 90 passengers.
It uses BYD’s Blade battery technology, which is reckoned to last for at least 12 years.
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