New Arrival Bus begins trials ahead of first pick-ups in 2022

It is a fantastic news for those who's been waiting for a bus: it should be here soon but only if you’re waiting for the new start-up Arrival electric bus. Hyundai Motor Group and delivery giant UPS backed Arrival is working on a number of e-vehicles, such as delivery van, electric bus and a special ride hailing vehicle developed with help from Uber Californian investor.

Tests of the Arrival Bus has already started in an anonymous UK facility, where the company says it will be going through a “rigorous” validation and testing projects before being submitted for EU certification, before the further public road test drives begin in 2022. However, we have not given the full technical details of its just yet.

It is not a surprise that the battery packs are located in the floor, but strangely some rival electric buses have them on the roof – for optimum weight distribution. Needless to say, that the length, range, battery and passenger capacity can all be adjusted on demand, so local authorities or other firms will be able to configure them to their needs, thanks to its modular design. The bus can have up to three doors, with seating able to be installed across the entirely flat floor, which also allows for more usable standing space. There are wrap-around exterior and interior screens, a transparent roof and multiple lighting features. The Arrival Bus will be built using components shared with the other type of Arrival Vehicles (Van, Car and including recyclable composite materials), common suspension and wheels and tyres.

The Arrival’s vice-president: Franck Dessenis, has been very positive, especially from governments who are looking to upgrade their public transport system in order to achieve their zero-emission pledges. Arrival’s vice-president for the bus platform, claimed a “strong interest” in the bus, “specifically from governments who are looking to upgrade their public transportation networks, in order to achieve their zero-emission pledges.”

Some US based local authorities have already ordered a number of Arrival e-buses where some part of the vehicles will also be assembled. This strategy is an unusual production method to build large vehicles in 'micro-factories' instead of on large plant.