Alexander Dennis and KleanDrive have formalised a strategic alliance to accelerate the electrification of legacy diesel buses through advanced retrofit solutions. The collaboration positions KleanDrive as the official repowering partner for Alexander Dennis’s AD Repower brand, initially focusing on the widely adopted Enviro400 model. The electrification conversion will involve integrating KleanDrive’s modular, plug-and-play drivetrain system, which directly replaces the conventional engine and transmission while maintaining original bus controls and instrumentation. This approach enables efficient onsite conversions at operators’ facilities, minimising vehicle downtime and empowering local technicians for straightforward maintenance.

At the core of the repower package is a sector-leading 324kWh usable (352kWh gross) CATL Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery system, matched with a Voith electric motor and a uniquely engineered power electronics skid framework. The configuration delivers an operational range of up to 195 miles on a single charge, benchmarked at 50% passenger occupancy and aligning with real-world duty cycles in urban mass transit. By retrofitting the robust bodies and chassis of existing buses, the partnership extends operational lifespan, avoids premature asset disposal, and sharply reduces tailpipe emissions as well as embedded carbon footprint.

The first Enviro400 double deck bus equipped with this system is scheduled for road deployment by the end of Q2 2026. AD Repower customers will benefit from full factory backing via the Alexander Dennis AD24 service, ensuring reliability and product support. The joint strategy reflects a pragmatic path to fleet electrification, balancing capital expenditure with environmental imperatives, while leveraging reputational strengths in vehicle engineering, system integration, and aftersales support. This initiative signals a significant advance in sustainable transport, blending established manufacturing expertise with leading-edge repower technology.

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