Arriva London orders 51 double decker e-buses from Volvo, based on BZL chassis

Arriva London has placed an order for 51 Volvo BZL Electric Double Deck buses. They’ll housed in Tottenham garage and serve routes 341 and 243 from 2025.

Volvo will take care of chassis while bodywork will be provided by Egyptian MCV.

According to UK trade media Routeone, “The buses will be 10.9m long. High-backed seating will be fitted along with USB charging points and glazed skylights. Each will have 470kWh of energy storage with the 200kW driveline including a two-speed automated manual gearbox“.

Volvo BZL double decker buses for Arriva London

In March 2023, Volvo Buses announced the decision to cease the production of complete buses, both urban and coach, in Europe. Then, the company had signed letters of intent with MCV for the manufacture of bodies for city and intercity buses, and with Sunsundegui for tourist buses (a cooperation that has been stopped in July 2024). The definitive agreement signed with MCV included the development “an electric bus for intercity traffic”. In March 2024 the new BZR chassis was launched as an addition to an offering made also of the BZL chassis.

Arriva London will benefit from our dedicated London Field Service Technical Team and support from Volvo Truck and Bus Centre South & East dealerpoints, ensuring quick access to Genuine Volvo Parts and around-the-clock technical assistance, says Volvo Buses in a Linkedin post.

Marcos Hart, Managing Director London at Arriva UK Bus, says: “Arriva UK Bus is committed to decarbonising our fleet in London, and this most recent order with Volvo builds on the millions of pounds we have already invested in creating the clean, electrified and efficient public transport networks that communities in the capital deserve.”

Domenico Bondi, Managing Director of Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, adds: “As our industry embraces electromobility, we prioritise sustainability, safety, and reliability throughout our processes – from material sourcing and manufacturing to operation and recycling. So, we’re proud and excited to be supplying Arriva London with all-electric buses in that instantly recognisable red livery!”