OTS tests Alexander Dennis Enviro100EV electric bus in Cornwall

OTS Minibus & Coach Hire has trialled the Alexander Dennis Enviro100EV electric bus on the Transport for Cornwall network, and says it will "seriously consider" the vehicle for future fleet purchases. The trial took place in October 2026, on local services in and around Falmouth.

The demonstrator covered 641 miles during its time with OTS and used 874kWh of electricity. Compared with the operator's existing diesel buses of a similar size, the fuel savings were equivalent to £45,000 over an eight-year contract term.

The 8.5m Enviro100EV can be fitted with up to 26 seats. Craig George, Bus Services Manager at OTS, who managed the trial, said the bus "fitted really nicely around all our routes and did everything we expect our equivalent-size diesel buses to do, but better".

George said the bus was more stable on the road than some other small buses, with no wallowing or bouncing, and that it dealt easily with speed cushions and humps. He said the front overhang and reduced rear overhang gave more confidence when manoeuvring and better access to densely populated postwar housing estates.

He added that the camera mirrors reduce overall vehicle width and improve driver confidence on narrow roads, where mirror damage is a regular problem. Passengers, he said, thought the bus was much bigger than it is because of the interior.

George said the trial helped OTS confirm the vehicle can run a full day in service without top-up charging. It also helped the company understand the depot infrastructure and charging speeds it would need.

OTS aims to move more of its fleet to electric "as soon as that can be financially justified", he said.

Mark Taylor, Regional Sales Manager for Alexander Dennis, said the feedback confirmed the Enviro100EV as a suitable electric option for town services and rural operations. He said the company looks forward to supporting OTS when it is ready to electrify more of its fleet.