Alexander Dennis Ltd in December announced delivery of the first of an initial order for 100, Enviro400ER plug-in hybrid double deck buses to the Republic of Ireland’s National Transport Authority; the first vehicles are expected to enter service in early 2021, 74 with Dublin Bus in the Irish capital, and a further 26 with Bus Éireann in Galway.

The trailer manufacturing business of the Cartwright Group is unlikely to reappear from administration with debts exceeding GBP50m.

A short briefing last month by Alastair Hayfield, senior research director for commercial vehicles at market research firm, Interact Analysis UK, provided an insightful analysis about future demand for the internal combustion engine and the rate of its replacement with zero emission technology in different global regional markets.

In response to growing demand in the UK for zero emission buses, Alexander Dennis Ltd and BYD UK, are extending their business partnership with the announcement they plan to assemble electric bus chassis in the UK starting in the second half of 2021.

Trailer manufacturer, Montracon Ltd, has extended its machinery carrier range, introducing the MT70, which is plated for operation up to 70 tonnes and runs on four axles.

“For the UK market as a whole, the peak year of commercial vehicles with an internal combustion engine (diesel/petrol or hybrid) was 2019!” says Alastair Hayfield, senior research director at market research firm Interact Analysis, in a recent review of the UK truck powertrain market.

The Asda supermarket chain is currently taking delivery of 202 Volvo FH LNG tractor units in what is believed to be the single largest order ever placed in the UK for heavy trucks running on renewable fuels.

Alexander Dennis Ltd has recently renewed its partnership with New Zealand bus body and coach builder, Kiwi Bus Builders, resulting in the delivery of six electric buses to Fullers360 for Auckland Transport services on Waiheke Island.

The CF Electric truck is to be made available for the UK’s right hand drive market with series production set to commence from the end of March 2021.

Electric vehicle and e-mobility technology, Arrival Ltd and CIIG Merger Corp, have reached an agreement to merge companies.

CNH Industrial BV, which has its official headquarters in London, is collaborating with Avanade of Seattle, Washington (a JV between Accenture and Microsoft) as well as the two parent companies, to enhance its digital capabilities and develop “smart” connected products and services.

Gainsborough-based emissions control specialist, Eminox Ltd is entering a project with Sheffield-based magnetic drive components manufacturer, Magnomatics to enable passenger transport vehicles to reduce their environmental impact when in operation.