Scottish scheduled service operator Ember has become the first operator to order the Yutong GTe14 battery-electric tri-axle coach. It has committed to 14 of the type, which are to be delivered in January 2024.
Dealership Pelican Bus and Coach revealed details of the 14-metre GTe14 in May. It will be similar to the 15-metre TC15E (pictured, above) intended for other markets, a prototype of which has already been constructed. The GTe14 shares an appearance with the established GT12 diesel two-axle model.
Those to be delivered to Ember will be 57-seaters and equipped with 563kW/h of battery capacity. That will give a range on motorway work of what Pelican says “is around 280 miles.” They will also come with the Yutong Electric Safety System and the manufacturer’s rear-view cameras.
PSVAR compliance will include a lift at a centre door, while 8.25 cubic metres of luggage capacity forms part of the specification.
Delivery of the GTe14 fleet will take the Ember fleet of Yutong battery-electric coaches to 38. Speaking about the order, co-founder Pierce Glennie says: “Our existing Yutong TCe12 coaches have been highly reliable, enabling us to build an extensive zero-emission route network in less than three years.
“The longer-range, higher-capacity GTe14, together with the new charging hubs we are building, will allow us to add longer-distance routes and meet passenger demand.”
Adds Pelican Bus and Coach Managing Director Richard Crump: “We have worked closely with Pierce and Keith from Ember since first meeting them in 2019.
“Their vision and professionalism has in part driven the development of this new addition to the UK model range. However, the vehicle will have wider appeal across the whole of the UK, not only for intercity work but also for high-value private hires.”
A demonstrator GTe14 is due to arrive with Pelican in November and it will be made available to operators.
