Cobra Corporate Services has added to the electrification of its contract with Sky via the arrival of two more BYD Alexander Dennis Enviro200EV battery-electric single-deckers. 

The latest deliveries have been supplied by Alexander Dennis and are owned by Dawsongroup Bus and Coach. It provides them to Cobra via a fully supported contract hire solution.

Charging infrastructure has been procured from EO Charging. Its EO Cloud monitoring service includes real-time oversight and management of the equipment and supports a calculation of the carbon emissions avoided.

The new buses use DC replenishment compared to the slower AC approach utilised on the other eight, which date from 2022. BES Group has installed a pair of dual 120kW chargers at Livingston, with those units manufactured by ABB. EO Charging managed the sale and supply of the chargers and installation with BES Group as approved suppliers with Cobra.

Having been put to work in Livingston, the new buses have displaced two of the earlier AC buses that have moved to the similar Sky operation in South West London where the other six are based.

There are no spare vehicles at Livingston. Faster DC charging is thus beneficial. Alexander Dennis is also supporting the buses through its aftermarket AD24 division, with teams at the nearby Falkirk and Larbert facilities an additional factor in minimising downtime.

Cobra Corporate Services Director Steve Dowling says that after a short period in use, the two new Enviro200EV buses “are performing very reliably” and that the DC charging solution “is solid.” That approach “is the gold standard for electric bus charging, working better and giving us more options, more confidence, and more operational flexibility,” he adds.

Mr Dowling has also commended the collaboration and support of all partners involved in the latest vehicle project. That has been key to completing electrification of shuttle services delivered by Cobra Corporate Services on behalf of Sky as part of the broadcaster’s Sky Zero strategy.