Envisage Technologies, part of the Envisage Group, has worked with client Switch Mobility to deliver its fourth-generation SWITCH e1 bus. The 12m-long lightweight electric vehicle (EV) was launched in June at the European Mobility Expo in Paris.

Thanks to its advanced NMC battery technology, the SWITCH e1 is one of the lightest 12m buses in Europe with a range of around 390km from a 389KWh battery, allowing operators to improve efficiency and reduce lifetime costs.

Envisage’s design input has ensured that the colours, materials and finishes tie in with a key sustainability theme of protecting the oceans. Envisage’s creatives took this a step further by selecting a Seaquel yarn for the bus seat fabric made from 100% recycled polyester.

Envisage has a track record of serving both Tier One customers and OEMs from automotive, aerospace, marine and the wider mobility market. Its CMF and paint divisions began working with Switch Mobility in November 2021, feeding into the design process and ensuring colour and materials choices reflected the client’s vision for low-carbon transportation.

Lauren Reanne Steele, colour and materials designer at Envisage Technologies, said: “As well as ensuring designs and materials were aligned with sustainability, we had to create something exciting that would really engage with the consumer. From pastel flooring to metallic lilac handrails, we have not been afraid to do something different and create an inviting atmosphere by responding to the latest consumer trends.”

Peter Freedman, Switch Mobility’s chief marketing and sustainability officer, said: “Following Covid-19 there is a big drive within the bus industry to return ridership to pre-Covid levels. We wanted to develop a colours and materials (C&M) approach that appealed to the end customer and encouraged the use of buses again. We also wanted to challenge the norm for the industry and look at using a suite of materials and colours not commonly seen on buses.”

He added: “Switch e1 was extremely positively received by press and customers and we are confident that the work carried out with Envisage ensured the bus was presented in the best possible manner.”