London: Ashok Leyland's Optare wins EV double decker order

Optare PLC, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland in the UK has won the world's first electric double decker order. As part of the deal, 31 Optare MetroDecker EV double-decker buses will be supplied to Metroline and will be added to London's fleet next year.

The new electric double decker buses will ply on Metroline's 'route 43' from Friern Barnet to London Bridge and 'route 134' from North Finchley to Tottenham Court Road.

The Optare MetroDecker EV measures 10,500 mm in overall length and has a wheelbase of 5,350 mm. It has a total passenger capacity of 99 and the gross vehicle weight (GVW) is 18,000 kg. It is powered by 268 BHP electric drive with a maximum torque of 3,570 Nm. It uses three lithium iron magnesium phosphate battery modules with a combined energy output of 200 kWh. The bus is claimed to have a range of 170-230 km on a single charge.