Revisions to EVM’s low-floor Sprinter-based minibus has seen its passenger capacity raised to 25, while at the same time seeing its overall weight reduced and fuel capacity increased for more demanding duties.
It comes as EVM announces that it will reveal its new zero-emmission electric Cityline in May. See news here
Minibus manufacturer EVM was quick to take advantage of the lockdown in 2020 and quickly put its engineering team to work on several projects including revising the well-proven Cityline with some key improvements, crucially driven by operator feedback.
EVM has enjoyed continued success with its low-floor Sprinter solution, bucking the downward trend in the industry with new vehicles delivered continuously throughout the lockdown.
The engineering team at EVM, headed up by Cosimo Facecchia, who brings 20 years of PSV design engineering to the table, focused on several points to create the latest version of the Cityline.
A complete new low-floor structure was the starting point to a weight-saving exercise yielding increased capacity to 25 passengers made of 18 seated and 7 standees.
Fuel capacity has been increased from the original 75 litres to 93 litres, a key point for larger fleet operators, allowing the average operator to complete even the most demanding routes without refilling.
“The industry trend towards small-form passenger solutions, backed up by creative cloud based software solutions like ‘Via Van’ has created a demand for our Cityline product” says Peter Flynn, Sales and Marketing Director for EVM.
“Increased capacity for operators was a key milestone for us, taking the Cityline above the typical capacity for tendered routes” says Peter, adding “We have a new model in the pipeline that will take capacity above 25 passengers with equal key benefits for the customer, that they have appreciated in the Cityline”
“Increased capacity for operators was a key milestone for us, taking the Cityline above the typical capacity for tendered routes”
Peter Flynn, Sales and Marketing Director, EVM
The Cityline is a familiar sight around the UK in liveries from Go-Ahead, ‘Arriva Click’, ‘Teesflex’ from Stagecoach, ‘Pick me up’ from Oxford Bus and recently throughout Wales in Fflecsi colours.
The little Sprinter has proven itself a reliable workhorse, delivering substantial capital and operational cost savings to operators and community groups around the UK.
“The volume of our low floor Cityline in the market over the last five years has given us a unique opportunity to listen to our customers and work with them and develop solutions that make the Cityline an even better fit for their organisations.”
“Success in international markets as well as domestic UK and Irish markets has moved the Cityline up the charts to become one of our best sellers” says Peter, “We are answering calls daily to operators around the country and indeed Europe-wide who we would have traditionally considered to be ‘big bus’ operators, but now embrace the Cityline as a real alternative for flexible and fixed service routes, particular in rural areas.”
Low Emission Certificate
Low Emission Buses qualify for the BSOG LCEB 6 pence/km operational support from the Department for Transport. BSOG is only awarded to buses running on local bus services, accessible by the public.
“A lot of our customers are using the Cityline on fixed services, so it made sense to complete the stringent testing by Millbrook and the ZEMO partnership to achieve the Low Emission Bus Certificate” says Lorna Miller, representing EVM’s Accessible and Zero Emission range in Scotland and the north of England.
“The increased support level for Scottish operators of 14.4p + an additional 5p per kilometre makes our Cityline extremely attractive to operators”.
Technology: Efficient Diesel
Passenger capacity: 22-25
Fuel: UK Pump Diesel
WTW GHG saving compared to Euro V diesel equivalent: 33%
WTW CO2e per passenger km: 21.4 g CO2e / pass km
PSVAR certification
PSVAR certification has never been something to worry about for minibus but with the adoption of the Cityline onto more service routes, the rules still require proof of certification.
“The ability to certify our Cityline to PSVAR with DVSA adds another string to our bow for operators”, says David O’Leary, the latest addition to EVM, representing their accessible and zero-emission range in the south.
Extended warranty offering on chassis
EVM has retained its optional 5-year chassis warranty available on its complete range of Sprinter offerings, giving operators peace of mind that all major components are covered for 5 years from purchase.
Aftersales
Peter advised of a conversation with a regular and valued customer, Vectare Ltd of Loughborough, who told him, “I bought the first three Citylines on the strength of your sales, but I bought the next three on the strength of your aftersales. There are cheaper alternatives out there, but consistent support from Ian keeps us coming back”
Ian Edgerton leads up the Aftersales team in EVM with a nationwide support network offering next day delivery on all conversion components including glazing. “We continue to grow our support network as we add new customers to our fold” said Ian, “Our customers appreciate having an immediate answer and support on the end of the phone, but they also need a quick turnaround on repairs, so their vehicles can get back to work immediately.”
EVM maintains constant stock of new Citylines to ensure customers are able to meet the ever more restrictive timelines on tenders. “The timing and announcements of tender awards for operators leaves them very little time to order a new vehicle and and get it on the road for the start of the contract” advised Peter, “We take the pain out of that by having stock units available to be deployed in as little as 3-4 days.”
For more information on range of accessible vehicles from EVM, contact Lorna, David or Peter on 0845 5205160 or visit www.evmdirect.co.uk.
