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Mellor launches new all-electric bus range
Mellor has unveiled its new Sigma range of battery electric, zero-emission buses. In a major repositioning of the Mellor business, it says its new product range offers a redefinition of zero-emissions public transport vehicles – all vehicles will be manufactured at its factory in Rochdale.
The new Mellor Sigma range comprises six models with overall lengths from 7 to 12-metres, 30 to 80 passenger capacities, ‘city’ and ‘rural’ specifications, plus width and passenger door configurations to further broaden the range to over 20 individual variants. The result is one of the largest ranges of low-floor Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) buses from any manufacturer in Europe. Initial 7 and 10-metre models are available to order today.
Mellor has unveiled its new range of British-built battery-electric buses / Picture: Mellor
Mellor says key to Sigma’s operational appeal is its lightweight construction, thus allowing for smaller battery capacities to reduce energy consumption. In partnership with industry-leading component manufacturers – among them CATL, Webasto, ZF, Dana and Ventura – Sigma will be fully EU Type Approved. Plus, with a three-year bumper-to-bumper warranty, 8-year battery warranty and 15-year structural warranty.
Mark Clissett, Mellor’s bus division managing director, said: “After significant investment, and benefiting from our vastly experienced engineers and our partner component manufacturers, we’re bringing our new Sigma range to market, and the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Mellor in the UK. We’re naturally frustrated that the ongoing public health concerns in the UK meant we were unable to give Sigma the fanfare-launch it deserves, but reaction from selected customer previews has been overwhelming, and we’re very confident that Sigma is really going to shake-up the UK bus market at its full launch and ride-and-drive event early in the New Year. We truly believe Sigma represents a redefinition of the zero-emissions bus offering.
“With exacting model options available to deliver the lowest possible total cost of ownership across the widest range of city and rural operations. Sigma not only marks a turning point for Mellor, it is also the most important product introduction of its kind from any bus builder in the last decade.”