(TSX: NFI, OTC: NFYEF) NFI Group Inc. (“NFI” or
the “Company”), a leading independent bus and coach manufacturer
and a leader in electric mass mobility solutions, today unveiled
its first zero-emission, three-axle double deck bus. The
Enviro500EV CHARGE is the North American all-electric version of
the world’s best-selling double deck bus, and is produced by NFI
subsidiary Alexander Dennis Limited (“ADL”).
Like all NFI double deck buses for North
America, the 45-foot Enviro500EV CHARGE offers an amazing passenger
experience with panoramic views, low-floor entry, reclined seating,
overhead reading lights and air vents, USB ports, and Wi-Fi and
multimedia capability—but its main feature is its high passenger
capacity, with up to 82 seats, including 53 on the upper deck. It
also features several industry firsts, including full independent
front suspension for a smoother and more comfortable ride, and an
integrated electric drive system tailored to the requirements of
North American transit agencies. A well-lit staircase with
conveniently positioned handrails, wide entrance and wide exit
doors, a 1-in-6 mobility ramp, unobstructed isles with sculpted
handrails, mobility devices, and fully flat floor through to the
rear seating ensure outstanding accessibility.
The Enviro500EV CHARGE forms part of NFI’s
industry leading range of zero-emission buses and coaches. The
CHARGE line-up includes New Flyer’s Xcelsior CHARGE NG™ and
Xcelsior CHARGE H2™, MCI’s J4500 CHARGE™ and D45 CRT LE CHARGE™,
and the ARBOC Equess CHARGE™. The Enviro500 EV CHARGE is Buy
America-compliant, and Altoona testing is scheduled to start later
this year. NFI is the only operator in North America to offer
battery-electric, fuel cell-electric and electric trolleys.
“Today marks the very first launch of an ADL
vehicle at our Vehicle Innovation Center, and we are excited to
have an ADL zero-emission bus join our line-up for North America,”
said Paul Soubry, President and Chief Executive Officer of NFI.
“When we acquired ADL in May 2019, we knew that ADL’s strong
international growth agenda and double deck bus platform would mean
an exciting road ahead—today’s launch brings together both of these
elements. At NFI, we are leading the evolution to zero-emission
mobility – Leading the ZEvolution, as we like to
call it – and ADL is a central part of our continued leadership and
innovation.”
“The Enviro family is the world’s best-selling
double deck bus, with over 18,000 sold around the globe,” said Paul
Davies, President and Managing Director, ADL. “Today we add a
milestone as we unveil our first ever battery-electric, three-axle,
high-capacity double deck bus designed specifically for the North
American market. We are very excited by the positive feedback
already received from transit agencies who have trialed this
vehicle and look forward to delivering zero-emission service with
our double decks across North America.”
NFI is a leader in zero-emission mobility, with
electric vehicles operating (or on order) in more than 80 cities in
four countries. NFI offers the widest range of zero-emission
battery and fuel cell electric buses and coaches, and the Company’s
vehicles have completed over 40 million EV service miles. Today,
NFI supports growing North American cities with scalable, clean,
and sustainable mobility solutions through a four-pillar approach
that includes buses and coaches, technology, infrastructure, and
workforce development. It also operates the VIC, the first and
only innovation lab of its kind dedicated to advancing bus and
coach technology and providing workforce development. Since opening
late 2017, the VIC has hosted over 300 interactive events,
welcoming 3,000 industry professionals for EV and infrastructure
training. For more information, visit newflyer.com/VIC.
About NFI
Leveraging 450 years of combined experience, NFI
is leading the electrification of mass mobility around the world.
With zero-emission buses and coaches, infrastructure, and
technology, NFI meets today’s urban demands for scalable smart
mobility solutions. Together, NFI is enabling more livable cities
through connected, clean, and sustainable transportation.
With 8,000 team members in ten countries, NFI is
a leading global bus manufacturer of mass mobility solutions under
the brands New Flyer® (heavy-duty transit buses), MCI® (motor
coaches), Alexander Dennis Limited (single and double-deck buses),
Plaxton (motor coaches), ARBOC® (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty
buses), and NFI Parts™. NFI currently offers the widest range of
sustainable drive systems available, including zero-emission
electric (trolley, battery, and fuel cell), natural gas, electric
hybrid, and clean diesel. In total, NFI supports its installed base
of over 105,000 buses and coaches around the world. NFI common
shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
NFI. News and information is available at www.nfigroup.com,
www.newflyer.com, www.mcicoach.com, www.arbocsv.com,
www.alexander-dennis.com, and www.nfi.parts.
About Alexander Dennis
Alexander Dennis Limited (“ADL”) is a global
leader in the design and manufacture of double deck buses and is
also the UK’s largest bus and coach manufacturer. ADL offers single
and double deck vehicles under the brands of Alexander Dennis and
Plaxton, and has over 31,000 vehicles in service in the UK, Europe,
Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada and the United
States. Further information is available at
www.alexander-dennis.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking
statements which reflect the expectations of management regarding
ADL’s and NFI’s strategic initiatives, new products, plans and
opportunities, including the development and future production and
sale of the new ADL Enviro500EV CHARGE and the benefits related to
the new product. The words “believes”, “views”, “anticipates”,
“plans”, “expects”, “intends”, “projects”, “forecasts”,
“estimates”, “guidance” and “targets”, “may”, “will”, and similar
expressions, are intended to identify forward looking
statements.
Although the forward-looking statements
contained in this press release are based upon what management
believes to be reasonable assumptions, investors cannot be assured
that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking
statements, and the differences may be material. Actual results may
differ materially from management expectations as projected in such
forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including,
market and general economic conditions and economic conditions of
and funding availability for customers to purchase the Enviro500EV
CHARGE; the Enviro500EV CHARGE is a new product and no production
models have yet been delivered to customers; there may not be
sufficient customer demand for the Enviro500EV CHARGE, or at all,
in order to commence or maintain manufacturing for the new product;
the Enviro500EV CHARGE has not yet commenced testing at the testing
facilities in Altoona, PA and the vehicle will not be delivered to
customers until the vehicle has successfully completed such
testing; and the expected economic, efficiency, increased range and
other benefits of the product described in this release may not be
as great as those anticipated or may not be realized at all; and
the other risks and uncertainties discussed in the materials filed
with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available
on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Due to the potential impact of these
factors, NFI disclaims any intention or obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, unless required by
applicable law.
For ADL media inquiries, please
contact:Jacqueline Anderson+44 7796 715
607Jacqueline.Anderson@alexander-dennis.com
For investor inquiries, please contact:Stephen
KingP: 204.224.6382Stephen.King@nfigroup.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/08a487cd-a62e-4c9b-8f49-f4a9d8b882f1
A video accompanying this announcement can be found
at: https://youtu.be/yzbY7p0Tc7k
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