First Enviro100AEV autonomous electric bus for Cambridge Connector unveiled from NFI subsidiary Alexander Dennis

January 27, 2025

   

Larbert, UNITED KINGDOM – January 27, 2025: (TSX: NFI, OTC: NFYEF, TSX: NFI.DB) NFI Group Inc. (NFI) a leading independent bus and coach manufacturer and a leader in zero-emission electric mass mobility solutions, subsidiary Alexander Dennis Limited (Alexander Dennis), today announced that it has completed the first Enviro100AEV autonomous electric bus for the Connector project in Cambridge ahead of track testing.

Backed by Innovate UK, the Connector project consortium is led by the Greater Cambridge Partnership and in addition to Alexander Dennis includes Fusion Processing, IPG Automotive, dRISK and Gamma Energy. It is part funded and supported by the UK Government’s Centre for Connected & Autonomous Vehicles.

Consortium partners joined Alexander Dennis representatives at the manufacturer’s technology hub in Farnborough for the unveiling of the project’s first Enviro100AEV. Using an innovative funding model, the Alexander Dennis Enviro100AEV buses for the Connector project will be owned by Mistral Group and leased to the Greater Cambridge Partnership.

The bus will now enter a period of track-based testing to calibrate and fine-tune Fusion Processing’s CAVStar® automated drive system before delivery to Cambridge. This will be followed by testing and training for the safety drivers that will provide on-board supervision when public services commence later this year at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, which combines world-class biomedical research, patient care and education on a single site.

“The completion of the first Enviro100AEV is a great milestone for the Connector project as we now enter a phase of vehicle testing to ready the technology for public services. This builds on the substantial work we have done with Fusion Processing and other partners in similar projects to further refine this technology as we continue to explore use cases where autonomous buses can improve operational efficiency and add flexibility to transport networks,” said Jamie Wilson, Head of Concepts & Advanced Engineering, Alexander Dennis.

“Connector will see autonomous vehicles being trialed on our city’s roads to investigate their potential to transform the way people travel. This is a significant opportunity for Cambridge to lead the way in innovation, paving the way for more sustainable and efficient ways to get to where people need to go,” said Cllr Elisa Meschini, Chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Executive Board. “Seeing the first vehicle arrive and be ready for testing is a testament to the collaborative efforts of everyone involved with the consortium and I look forward to seeing how this technology can potentially shape the future of public transport.”

High resolution images are available for download from the Alexander Dennis website at alexander-dennis.com/media/news

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 over 9,100 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® (motorcoaches), Alexander Dennis Limited (single- and double-deck buses), Plaxton (motorcoaches), 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 100,000 buses and coaches around the world. NFI’s common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbol NFI and its convertible unsecured debentures trade on the TSX under the symbol NFI.DB. News and information is available at www.nfigroup.com, www.newflyer.com, www.mcicoach.com, nfi.parts, www.alexander-dennis.com, arbocsv.com, and carfaircomposites.com.

About Alexander Dennis
Alexander Dennis is the world’s leading manufacturer of double-deck and lightweight buses as well as the UK’s largest bus builder. The company’s next-generation zero-emission buses are tailored to operators’ requirements and have been independently confirmed to be among the most efficient in the market. In addition to battery-electric and hydrogen-fuel cell vehicles, Alexander Dennis offers low-emission buses that use advanced load management to deliver competitive total cost of ownership for customers. All Alexander Dennis products are backed up by comprehensive AD24 aftermarket support including parts, field service, workshops, technical publications, training and the AD Connect telematics suite.

Alexander Dennis builds on 130 years of heritage and today has team members at 16 facilities in nine countries as well as partner locations. It is a proud part of leading independent global bus manufacturer NFI Group. Further information is available at alexander-dennis.com.

About the Greater Cambridge Partnership
Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP, www.greatercambridge.org.uk) is the local delivery body for a City Deal with central Government, bringing powers and investment worth up to £1bn over 15 years, to deliver vital improvements in infrastructure; supporting and accelerating the creation of 44,000 new jobs, 33,500 new homes and 420 additional apprenticeships.

The partnership of councils, business and academia works together, and with partners and local communities, to grow and share prosperity and improve the quality of life for the people of Greater Cambridge, now and in the future.

The partners are Cambridge City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, University of Cambridge and Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority Business Board.

It is the largest of several city deal programs taking place in the UK and brings key partners together to work with communities, businesses and industry leaders to support the continued growth of one of the world’s leading tourism and business destinations.

For Alexander Dennis media inquiries, please contact:
Debbie McCreath, +44 1324 574479
Stefan Baguette, +44 1324 678047
[email protected]

For Greater Cambridge Partnership media inquiries, please contact:
Joanna Shilton, Communications & Engagement
[email protected]

For investor inquiries, please contact:
Stephen King
P: 204.792.1300
[email protected]