Newport Transport has debuted its first Yutong E9L mid-sized and U11DD double-deck battery-electric buses. That move that takes the operator’s zero-emission bus fleet to 57, accounting for 80% of its regular non-home-to-school operation.
The U11DD examples are the first of the type to be delivered to a customer in the UK, as are the E9L models. The latter is a development of the existing E9, with the E9L being lengthened at the front to allow for wheelchair user access via the door there.
Receipt of the latest vehicles represents a further step on what Newport Transport says is an ambition for a fully electric fleet by 2028. The U11DDs seat 70 while the E9L midibuses will suit lower-demand services and tendered routes such as those awarded in Newport and Monmouthshire earlier this year.
Interim Managing Director David Jenkins says that further battery-electrics via the operator’s partnership with Yutong supplier Pelican Bus and Coach represent “another journey on our step towards an all-electric fleet.”
Mr Jenkins has thanked Yutong and Pelican for their work to re-engineer the E9 to create the E9L. “The midibus has high passenger capacity, while its smaller size allows us to service the space-restricted areas of our Newport network and the more remote parts of our expanding operation,” he continues.
Head of Yutong UK Ian Downie has underlined how collaboration with Newport Transport led to development of the E9L. “The vehicles have been completed in the UK by Pelican and they will be supported by Pelican and Newport Transport’s trained technicians,” he continues.
“We are proud and honoured to work with David and the highly professional Newport team in bringing this midibus, which is compact with no compromise, to market.”
