UK-based Arrival, one of the UK’s largest ‘unicorns’, today revealed a zero-emission bus – that it describes as ‘Generation 2′ electric vehicles’ – that will transform the public transport industry at a time when it is facing its biggest challenges.
In business a ‘unicorn’ is a privately-owned start-up company valued at more than $1bn.
Publishing a visual of how it might look in service in London, it has also released video of the bus undergoing testing at Millbrook, Bedfordshire.
The recent pandemic has highlighted just how essential public transport is to communities around the world and the Arrival Bus is the tool cities need as they adapt to a new normal whilst striving to make bus travel appealing, sustainable and financially viable.
Designed with an exceptional passenger experience front of mind, the Arrival Bus is equipped with features that promote a positive perception of public transport and create an environment evoking a sense of space, cleanliness and wellbeing in
a world with a heightened awareness of hygiene and personal space.
“Arrival’s core focus is to make your every-day experience radically better, whether that is your daily journey on an Arrival Bus, or through your work as a driver delivering parcels from an Arrival Van,” says Kwame Nyanning, Arrival Chief of Experience.
“We are working with cities to make every touchpoint within the urban transportation ecosystem not only better, but also more equitable and sustainable.
“Recent events have made it clear the world needs to take action now in order to improve lives and effect real change.”
Adds Ben Jardine, Chief of Product, Arrival Bus: “We are very excited to bring the Arrival Bus to markets around the world and make the passenger experience of bus travel a positive one.
“By working in partnership with businesses to develop the entire ecosystem around our vehicles, we are supporting their goals of making public transport appealing whilst achieving carbon neutrality.”
As Arrival partners with governments and cities to create an integrated public transport ecosystem that supports their net-zero emission goals, the company is also developing cars for sharing, taxis, buses, delivery robots, charging stations, Microfactories and digital services that enable ‘best-in-class’ public transport without the need for subsidies.
This is possible because Arrival’s solutions are intelligently designed, with the Arrival Bus priced the same as a fossil fuel equivalent and realising even greater savings over its lifetime.
The Arrival Bus will be produced in local micro-factories which are designed to be capable of assembling all vehicles from Arrival’s portfolio.
These Micro-factories support the creation of market-specific products and will regenerate regional economies through the use of local supply chains, retention of talent and payment of local taxes.
The concept of micro-factories is behind Arrival’s other main product – its urban delivery van of which UPS placed an order for 10,000 in January.
About Arrival
Arrival is developing solutions that support the goal of creating sustainable urban environments. Arrival’s vehicles, devices, products and services are designed with a focus on providing exceptional, intelligent experiences at every touchpoint.
Arrival’s first products are zero-emission commercial vehicles that are transforming the transportation market. Arrival’s new generation electric vehicles are best in class and form part of a broader Arrival transportation ecosystem.
This includes Arrival’s invention of new assembly technology using low-footprint, low-CapEx Microfactories that enable the production of highly customised vehicles which are better priced even at low volumes. Arrival plans to deploy 1,000 Microfactories globally by 2026.
Arrival was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in the UK, with over 1000 global employees located in offices across the USA, Germany, Netherlands, Israel, Russia and Luxembourg.
Find out more: arrival.com
