National Express has announced it will be the inaugural UK scheduled coach operator to initiate trials with Yutong’s GTe14 tri-axle battery-electric coach.
The 53-seat vehicle is set to commence operations next week following driver training and will be deployed on the high-frequency routes connecting Stansted Airport with London over four weeks.
The GTe14 is powered by a 140kW charger and will make use of renewable electricity sources at Stansted Airport for charging, meaning it is capable of running up to 21 hours a day. It incorporates battery packs with a capacity of 563kWh, designed to offer an estimated range of 250-300 miles. National Express says it will potentially save up to 160 tonnes of CO2e annually on its London-Stansted airport routes.
This trial follows a successful 2020 pilot of Yutong’s TCe12 model on National Express’s A9 service. The GTe14’s enhanced capacity and improved charging technology will undergo testing in real-world conditions, providing data and feedback from both drivers and passengers.
Tom Berry, Zero Emissions Vehicle Specialist for Mobico Group, says: “We know National Express’s scale and ambition can help drive innovation in the coach market as we work towards our goal of having a UK coach fleet that produces zero emissions at the tailpipe.
“We are grateful to Yutong for allowing us to be the first UK scheduled coach operator to trial the newest state-of-the-art battery-electric coach, and we’re looking forward to testing the GTe14 model on our high-frequency services between Stansted Airport and London over the coming weeks.”
Ian Downie, Head of Yutong UK, highlights the proven reliability and global footprint of Yutong’s electric vehicles, with over 180,000 units operating worldwide.
“Pelican’s continued investment in the UK coaching industry is evidenced by this launch of our new GTe14 tri-axle electric coach, which is heading to National Express as the first operator to trial the vehicle in service over the coming weeks. The GTe14 joins the two-axle TCe12 as the only zero tailpipe emission coaches available in the UK,” he adds.
