Irizar and Go-Ahead, London’s biggest bus operator, have signed an agreement
for two Irizar i2e electric buses to be put into operation in London from the end
of July.
The Irizar i2e buses are fully manufactured with Irizar group’s own technology, and add to those
delivered in Europe in 2014. The all-electric buses will go on to high-intensity routes 507,
connecting Waterloo station to Victoria Station and 521, connecting Waterloo Station with
London Bridge Station.
Mike Weston, TFL’s Director of Buses, said: “London has always been at the forefront of
adopting and trialling new green technology. As the number of electric buses in our fleet grows
we are learning more about how they can help us to improve services and benefit our
customers.”
Richard Harrington, Go-Ahead London’s Engineering Director said: “London’s buses are in the
process of being transformed into the most environmentally friendly fleet in the world. We were
the first operator in the capital to run pure electric vehicles and 18 months of reliable service
has proved this form of power is a viable solution. Irizar’s entry into this market is welcome and
I look forward to working with them to deliver benefits to all Londoners”.
By placing electric buses in the UK, Irizar not only shows its capacity for adapting to the needs
of markets and operators but also reaffirms its intention of positioning itself as market leader in
urban mobility with the firm commitment to contribute to the sustainability and improvement of
city environments.
“This is an important step for Irizar because it helps us develops a product and service which
meets the demanding specifications of Go-Ahead and the regulations in the UK, as well as
providing the safety, reliability, comfort and autonomy of all Irizar products,” said Hector
Olabegogeaskoetxea, Irizar’s Electromobility Manager.
The 12-metre buses features include a continuous low floor and two double doors, with an
electric ramp located at the centre door. The electric motor has 180kW of power and the
batteries have storage 282kWh of storage, which give the buses a range of between 160km and
180km under typical London traffic conditions. As a new feature, they also incorporate a
heating/cooling unit for the driver area and anti-vandalism locks.
Irizar has taken advantage of its ability to adapt manufacture of buses and coaches to
demanding specifications by configuring the vehicles for Tfl and Go-Ahead with 26 seats and
one wheelchair place, to give a total passenger capacity of 60. The vehicle will incorporate the
on-board fleet management systems and telemetry which are standard in London bus operation.
The i2es are the first buses handled by Irizar subsidiary Irizar UK, better known as sole UK
supplier of its coach range. Director Steve O’Neill said: “Our new Bus Project Manager, John Horn,
has brought his vast experience in bus sales in the UK to Irizar’s bus team in Spain to ensure
these vehicles are appropriate for the London operating environment, and we are confident
they will continue the success in Europe”.
“Going forward, we expect to see rapid development of i2e sales in the UK, with a number of
local authorities showing an interest in running emissions-free buses in urban and metropolitan
areas.”
Go-Ahead London is the largest bus company in the capital. It employs just over 7,000 people
from 17 locations, mainly in South, North and East London. The company has approximately
2,300 vehicles, including London’s first fully electric buses and around 110 New Routemasters.
Go-Ahead London run 25 per cent of the regulated bus market under contract to Transport for
London (TfL), where routes are awarded under a competitive tendering programme for a period
of five to seven years. The company provides over 140 TfL services and in 2013/2014 ran 80
million miles.
In addition to running London’s first electric buses, the company has also operated two fully
electric engineering support vehicles since 2009.
