Innovative bus designer and manufacturer, Mellor, has launched its high-floor electric bus, the first of its kind in the industry. Available in two size appropriate length options of seven-meter and nine-meter, the Sigma High Floor answers the call for zero emission specialist passenger transport.

The new electric vehicle will support Local Authorities on their electrification journey, and their need to make their fleets Net Zero by 2025.

In 2020, disabled adults in England made 28% fewer trips than non-disabled adults. Believing that everyone should have equal access to zero-emission, sustainable transport, Mellor created a new vehicle to help close this transport gap. With an accessibility focus, Mellor’s new vehicle will support those with specialist care needs, such as special education needs, elderly, and people with reduced ability. This will be significant for organisations, specialist care providers, and Local Authorities who are responsible for providing social service transport and mobility operations, and have a legal requirement to offer specialist transport to those in need.

Available with up to 22 seats or seven wheelchairs in the Sigma 7 and 34 seats or up to 10 wheelchairs in the Sigma 9, the completely flat-floor buses sport a standard-fit wheelchair-friendly passenger lift, a range of 160 miles and a host of configurable options. The Sigma HF range focuses on accessibility, and the comfort and safety of the passengers, and is suitable for both urban and rural environments.
With orders already received for the Sigma High Floor range, Mellor will publicly debut the seven-metre bus at the APSE Scotland Fleet, Waste and Grounds Seminar 2023 in May. After its UK launch, the range is also set to be promoted in overseas markets.

Richard Matthews, Sales Director at Mellor, commented: “At Mellor, we believe that accessibility should never compromise on sustainability. Our industry-first High-Floor electric bus, part of our much-loved Sigma range, is a game changer for specialist passenger transport.
“Our skilled team have worked hard to create a vehicle that is not only environmentally friendly but also offers maximum accessibility, safety, and comfort for passengers. This latest innovation brings us one step closer to making sustainable transport more inclusive and accessible for all.”

As part of the WN VTech group, Mellor combines zero-emission emission technology with size appropriate design to transform bus routes and provide inclusive and sustainable transport for cities and regional environments around the world.

The Sigma family offers one of the largest ranges of battery-electric buses, including high-floor variants, from any manufacturer in Europe.

For more information about the APSE Scotland Fleet, Waste and Grounds Seminar 2023 event, visit: www.apse.org.uk