low-floor
Accessibility is the design of products, devices, services, vehicles, or environments so as to be usable by people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design and practice of accessible development ensures both "direct access" (i.e ...
electric
Electricity is the set of physical phenomena associated with the presence and motion of matter that has a property of electric charge. Electricity is related to magnetism, both being part of the phenomenon of electromagnetism, as described by ...
bus produced by Switch Mobility since 2022. The E1 is the first vehicle to be introduced by Switch Mobility since their rebranding from
Optare
Switch Mobility (originally called Optare) is an English bus manufacturer based in Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire. It is a subsidiary of Indian company Ashok Leyland. The company would be responsible for the EV operations of the group with ...
Paris
Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. S ...
, France. The interior features a highly customisable modular design, similarly to the competing Arrival Bus, with two or three doors and a maximum of 30 seats. Total passenger capacity is up to 93 passengers per bus, with capacity for 63 standing. Each seat can be fitted with reading lights,
USB
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard that establishes specifications for cables, connectors and protocols for connection, communication and power supply (interfacing) between computers, peripherals and other computers. A broad ...
phone charging ports and under-seat lights, with wide-screen monitors fitted throughout the cabin to display next stops and other information. Wheelchair access is available through both the front and middle doors, with wheelchair bays optionally fitted opposite either or both.
The E1 was known during development as ''Project Odin generation 4''; further Project Odin models are expected to launch later in 2022. According to Switch Mobility, the E1 is the lightest electric bus on the market. Fast charging is available, with a full charge in three hours possible through DC charging; total range on a full charge is expected to be around . At launch, the E1 was aimed at the
continental Europe
Continental Europe or mainland Europe is the contiguous continent of Europe, excluding its surrounding islands. It can also be referred to ambiguously as the European continent, – which can conversely mean the whole of Europe – and, by ...
an market, with the Optare MetroCity EV still to be constructed for the United Kingdom. The E1 will be the first model to be produced at Switch Mobility's newly constructed
carbon neutral
Carbon neutrality is a state of net-zero carbon dioxide emissions. This can be achieved by balancing emissions of carbon dioxide with its removal (often through carbon offsetting) or by eliminating emissions from society (the transition to the "p ...
manufacturing facility in
Valladolid
Valladolid () is a Municipalities of Spain, municipality in Spain and the primary seat of government and de facto capital of the Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Castile and León. It is also the capital of the province o ...
, Spain, commencing with two production lines dedicated to the E1; additional construction will take place at the existing former Optare factory in
Sherburn in Elmet
Sherburn in Elmet (pronounced ) is a large village, civil parish and electoral ward in the Selby District of North Yorkshire, England, west of Selby and south of Tadcaster.
It was part of the West Riding of Yorkshire until 1974.
It is one o ...
,
Yorkshire
Yorkshire ( ; abbreviated Yorks), formally known as the County of York, is a Historic counties of England, historic county in northern England and by far the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its large area in comparison with other Eng ...