National Express has an announced a partnership with Stansted Airport where it will trial an electric bus for airside gate-to-plane bussing.
The vehicle on trial is a Cobus 2700, which it claims will operate for up to eight hours per day. It can carry 88 standing passengers and will be used on a four-week test period to gather feedback from drivers and passengers.
National Express says the data will also help the partnership understand how the vehicles behave in a “real world environment” and how electric vehicles can be used at the airport in the future.
“The switch from diesel to electric vehicles is an adjustment that requires changes in charging infrastructure, maintenance and driving practice,” says Kevin Frazer, South East Operations Director for National Express. “In preparation for the trial, we’ve introduced some new processes and 10 drivers have undergone additional training to familiarise themselves with the vehicles.”
Adds Steve Mills, London Stansted’s Surface Manager: “London Stansted is delighted to partner with National Express as we continue to explore innovative and energy efficient ways to drive down carbon emissions to underpin our focus on the sustainable and responsible growth at the airport.
“We are proud that operations under our direct control are already carbon neutral, but we are committed to achieving net zero by 2038 so await the results of this trial with great interest.”
