Reptons Coaches has ordered a Yutong E9L battery-electric small bus from Pelican Bus and Coach, with part funding from Surrey County Council. It will be delivered in 2025.
The purchase was confirmed at Euro Bus Expo, where Operations Manager Sophie Repton (pictured, right) received a crystal gift from the dealership to mark the sale. Ms Repton was also given the first one of 10 trees that Pelican will plant in the UK because of the E9L deal as part of its ongoing sustainability commitment.
In assessing the market for a suitable vehicle, the Great Bookham operator identified the E9L “as the perfect fit for us and the routes it will serve,” says Ms Repton.
“The key things for us are reliability and quality for our passengers and, having spoken to those already operating Yutong electrics and then seeing the demonstrator at Euro Bus Expo, we are looking forward to taking our first step to transitioning to a zero-emission bus fleet,” she continues.
“The staff from Pelican and Yutong have been extremely helpful, and we are looking forward to taking delivery of our E9L next year.”
Ms Repton adds that the operator has found the quality and finish of the demonstrator E9L to be impressive and that the type’s modern look will complement its existing bus fleet. “The interior is very passenger-focused and we believe that it will provide our customers with a comfortable journey, while also being zero-emission at the tailpipe.”
Head of Yutong UK Ian Downie (pictured, left) has thanked Reptons Coaches for its business. “It has been an absolute pleasure working on this project with Sophie and [her father] Andy,” he says.
“Pelican is also a family-run business, so we share the same values of quality, professionalism and responsiveness. The E9L is compact without compromise and offers state-of-the-art passenger experience features, with market-leading safety as well as passenger capacity.”
