BYD UK and Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) jointly announced that their electric vehicle partnership has delivered its 500th double-decker electric bus.

The BYD ADL Enviro400EV double decker is one of 20 that have joined the Go-Ahead London fleet for Transport for London route 69 between Walthamstow and Canning Town.

Go-Ahead London has worked closely with the BYD ADL partnership since its inception, becoming its launch customer in 2016 and continuing to support product development with its operational experience.

“We were delighted in 2015 when Go-Ahead London embarked upon their journey towards electrification with us, and we’re even more thrilled today as we celebrate the handover of the 500th BYD ADL electric bus,” said Frank Thorpe, managing director of BYD UK. “It’s a very significant milestone, and not only for the BYD ADL partnership. It demonstrates, clearly, the commitment of the nation’s capital to decarbonisation, with eMobility playing an increasingly fundamental role in delivering a cleaner transport system for millions of people.”

John Trayner, Go-Ahead London's managing director, added that “It is fitting that this significant milestone took place at Waterloo, our global award-winning all-electric bus garage. Waterloo pioneered electric bus technology in 2013 and it quickly proved reliable in the capital's high frequency and demanding stop/start operating environment.”

As the transition to zero-emission transport continues to accelerate, the BYD ADL partnership has already taken firm orders for the next 500 electric buses, expected to be delivered over the next twelve months and taking the partnership’s total to over 1,000.