Westway Coaches orders the first three of the TCe12, set to be showcased at Coach & Bus UK
Named the TCe12, the model joins the GT12, TC12 and TC9 in the Yutong coach range.
The new coach is an evolution of the ICe12 electric intercity coach already in service in Paris, where Flixbus and Keolis have operated over 50 for nearly two years.
For ‘prestige work’
It has 258kW/h of battery capacity and can be charged with either a 60kW/h or 120kW/h DC charger, making a full charge possible in less than two hours. Like all Yutong electrics, the battery cells are packed into secure waterproof steel modular packs for safety and security.
Priced at £305,000+VAT, the coach is primarily aimed at operators with prestige work within cities with established or impending emission control zones, Pelican says. And it is anticipated that electric charging costs should be less than 25% of the equivalent diesel cost.
Future proof
Richard Crump, Managing Director of Pelican Bus and Coach, says: “The coaches operating in Paris are averaging better than 1km per kW/h of charge used on a duty cycle that is about 60% motorway and 40% urban operation. This would allow operators a range of about 200 miles on a full charge, depending of course on how the heating and cooling systems are used.
“For electric vehicles, it’s always a delicate balance between range (battery capacity), cost and weight. The push for clean air in cities means that, for city centre work, only a zero-emission vehicle is completely future proof”.
David West, Westway’s MD, adds: “We are delighted to be the first operator to purchase the TCe12. As we move into the next decade more and more parts of London and other major cities will become accessible only to zero-emission vehicles. We already operate six Yutong coaches and are very confident in the excellent aftersales support from Pelican.”
The third TCe12 will be displayed on Pelican’s stand at Coach & Bus UK (2-3 October).
