Mellor, the leading manufacturer of size- and cost-appropriate buses, has supplied a fully accessible Orion E to Cheshire West and Chester Council. The new Orion is significant as being the local authority’s first electric bus, joining an existing fleet of 28 predominantly Mellor-built passenger vehicles.

The Orion E’s saloon has been purpose-designed to support the council’s diverse needs. Phoenix Sirius detachable seats can carry 15 passengers or, if seats are removed, allow access for up to five wheelchairs. A rapid sliding side door and double rear doors with folding ramps aid access. Interior heating is delivered by a Webasto unit.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s new Orion E will see regular zero-emission service on accessible home-to-school journeys for children with complex needs. The bus will also support with the transport of elderly clients into local day centres.

Lisa Rimmer, Principal Fleet Operations Officer at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “We’ve been working hard to put the infrastructure in place to allow us to introduce fully electric buses into our fleet. Our services suit electric bus use and the addition of our first battery-electric bus supports the Council’s wider carbon reduction plan. The longstanding relationship we have with Mellor has allowed us to see how successful the Orion E has been for other operators. A week-long demonstration of the bus confirmed its suitability within our fleet.”

The Council is actively seeking feedback from drivers, clients, and other stakeholders as to the practical benefits offered by the new electric Mellor. Their responses will be considered when deciding if more Orion Es will be introduced in the future.

Europe’s most advanced all-electric low floor small bus, the Mellor Orion E provides exceptional total cost of ownership figures and minimal in-service maintenance requirements. Orion E combines a flexible, lightweight design with a practical 160km range to deliver outstanding efficiency across a wide range of use cases.