Mellor, a visionary for innovative bus design and manufacturing, is launching its Sigma 9 bus in Europe. This strategic move not only broadens Mellor’s market scope in the region, following the recent success of vehicle deliveries in Sweden and Germany, but also aligns with the global drive to achieve net-zero emissions.
Distinguished by its narrow width and lightweight construction, the all-electric Sigma 9 bus stands out in the market. With the extended Sigma offering, customers can choose the right vehicle for every bus route, from passenger capacity, to length of vehicle to optimal batteries. This will ultimately create a more efficient operation for customers.
Notably, the Sigma 9 requires just 60% of the battery power of a standard 12-meter bus, resulting in exceptional efficiency and significantly lower ownership and maintenance costs. With the flexibility of two battery options catering to diverse applications, the Sigma 9 boasts an impressive range of up to 300km and a gross-vehicle weight of only 13 tonnes, with a 60 passenger capacity.
Building on the success of its predecessor, the Sigma 8, in the UK, the Sigma 9 will debut alongside other pioneering members of the Sigma series at Busworld 2023 in Brussels from 7th to 12th October.
This expansion of the Sigma lineup aligns seamlessly with Europe’s push for accessibility and inclusivity. This vision of providing specialised care-needs transport resonates with Mellor’s commitment. Demonstrations are already lined up across Europe, with a UK new product launch planned later this year.
Gustavo Marqueta-Siibert, Group Business Development Director at WN VTech stated: “Our mission at Mellor is to provide specialised, sustainable passenger transport without compromising environmental responsibility. Our focus on appropriately sized vehicles exemplifies our commitment to efficiency and resource optimisation in our operations.
“The introduction of Sigma 9 in Europe is a significant stride in our global expansion strategy, further enriching our range of inclusive and sustainable transport solutions.”
As part of the WN VTech group, Mellor combines zero-emission emission technology with size appropriate design to transform bus routes and provide inclusive and sustainable transport for cities and regional environments around the world.
Mellor’s Sigma range, one of Europe’s broadest ranges of fully electric, emission-free low-floor buses, goes through an accelerated whole life durability testing programme at a world class facility in the UK – UTAC Millbrook, maximising reliability and ensuring confidence in product durability and integrity. The Sigma family offers one of the largest ranges of battery-electric buses from any manufacturer in Europe.
Testing and approval of Sigma 12
Mellor has also announced the completion of the testing and approval of the Sigma 12, following the recent announcement of the company’s partnership with Whippet Buses and the rollout of nine 12 metre buses sponsored by Cambridge University.
The Sigma 12 range answers the call for future-proofed zero-emission, accessible buses for use as a city bus as well as longer distance rural travel. To meet these demands the Sigma 12 range is available as a Class I and Class II, which will include R66 approval. The design and approval work of all variants has been managed concurrently in line with Mellor’s vision to offer all appropriate configurations across their chassis designs.
Sigma 12 comes in two- and three-door models and three lengths to accommodate 12 metre passenger profiles across differing markets that, because of their operating environments, prioritise extra comfort and additional passenger experiences. Sigma 12 has the availability of nine interior layouts to choose from, a range of 330 kilometres, and has a single door for right-hand drive markets that meet UK requirements.
Public Transport Authorities’ green transport goals require buses to deliver specific roles within the passenger transport ecosystem, the launch of 80-passenger Sigma 12, marks Mellor’s entry into the high-capacity city bus market.
Mellor’s approach continues to be aligned with its traditional markets where care and household responsibilities complicate mobility needs, which is inspired by cities where informal public transport operates, especially unsubsidised, lower-capacity buses, running linear or circular routes in outer regions.
John Randerson, WN VTech Chief Technology Officer, commented: “It’s becoming increasingly important to have a range of buses that match size-appropriate lightweight principles, offering maximum carrying capacity and passenger accessibility and experience.”
Mellor aims to support the growth of informal public transport alongside traditional mass transit. The one size fits all model grounded by the hub and spoke route optimisation of the past is now rightly being challenged. It is no longer route efficiency that defines passenger access, but sustainability measured as economic viability, environmental protection, and social equality.
Sigma 12 completes a range of size-appropriate buses designed to precisely contribute to their element of the new holistic electric bus transport ecosystem.
The constraints of EV route planning, such as topography, density, and charging infrastructure, are now managed through turn-key projects handling planning, procurement, and implementation. This approach is optimised when a single bus manufacturer is a key stakeholder. With the Sigma 12 included in the Mellor stable, Mellor can become an active participant as a prime contractor in a broader range of bus procurement opportunities that help realise the sustainability ambitions of cities and rural communities alike.