Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD and Alexander Dennis Limited, or ADL, the United Kingdom's largest bus and coach manufacturer, are to commence design and assembly of chassis for the BYD ADL partnership's single and double deck electric buses for the British market.

The link-up will see vehicles built in ADL's facilities in the UK, the groups said.

Assembly of the electric bus chassis is due to start in the second half of 2021, with support from BYD.

The two companies said the step has been taken in response to increasing demand for zero-emission vehicles.

As well as further strengthening the partnership's market-leading position, the production will support jobs in Britain and develop skills in the growing market for clean vehicle technology.

The partnership between ADL and BYD began in 2015, with more than 500 electric buses delivered or on order.

They have reached more than 16 million emission-free miles of reliable service in London, as well as numerous other towns and cities across the UK, said the companies.

Paul Davies, president and managing director of ADL, said: "I am delighted that we're moving our electric bus partnership to this next level and building complete zero-emission buses for the UK market in the UK. This ensures that investment in sustainable transport for our towns and cities delivers full economic benefits to communities right across the country."

Until now, chassis for the BYD ADL Enviro200EV single deck and BYD ADL Enviro400EV double deck buses were fully built by BYD, before being delivered to ADL's facilities to have their bodywork fitted in the UK.

Frank Thorpe, managing director of BYD UK, said this announcement underpins the "fantastic relationship" they have with ADL in the UK.

"We have always worked closely to deliver the highest-quality products and services, and we are confident that production of complete vehicles here in the UK will bring even greater efficiencies for our customers," Thorpe said. "More importantly, this commitment from both BYD and ADL is also a reflection of the acceptance of eMobility from local authorities, bus operators and their passengers. Electrification in our towns and cities is gathering pace, and the BYD ADL partnership is spearheading the drive towards a more sustainable future."

ADL has more than 31,000 vehicles in service in the UK, Europe, China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Singapore, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada and the United States, while BYD is a global leader in batteries, energy management and electric mobility.