The first new tri-axle battery-electric coaches for the UK are expected to arrive here in Q1 2024 after Pelican Bus and Coach confirmed its position on the Yutong GTe14 high-floor model.
To UK specification, the GTe14 will have 422kW/h of battery capacity as standard. Pelican expects that will deliver a range of 200 miles. An optional 563kW/h fitment will be available with a predicted endurance of 280 miles.
The model will have a common appearance with the existing diesel-powered GT12 two-axle coach. There will be much other family commonality internally, UK Coach Sales Manager Simon Collins has confirmed. “The GTe14 is fundamentally a tri-axle, battery-electric version of the GT12,” says Mr Collins.
Utilised on the GTe14 will be the same battery packs deployed successfully on existing Yutong electric models. ZF axles will be fitted all round and the tag unit will actively steer. Pelican is currently finalising other aspects of the specification before a formal order is placed with Yutong soon.
The model will come in at 13,970mm in length and offer an outright maximum of 63 seats, although Mr Collins expects that most customers’ requirements will be slightly below that. A centre sunken toilet will be available, as will PSVAR compliance or readiness.
“The final specification is currently to be confirmed, but we are working on the basis that we will deliver the first GTe14s to customers in Q1 2024,” he continues. Discussions have already opened with potential buyers.
Although the first GTe14 is yet to be built, Yutong recently completed a prototype of what it calls the TC15E (pictured). It is a 15m battery-electric coach that uses GT12 styling. That seed vehicle was shown to dealers, customers and media recently in the OEM’s home city of Zhengzhou.
Pelican is at pains to stress that the TC15E is not entirely the same coach as the GTe14. The longer model has 630kW/h of battery capacity and 59 seats with a fixed wheelchair user bay opposite a wide nearside centre door to suit scheduled service use.
The TC15E also has a different dash layout to what will be fitted to the GTe14 and the prototype comes with Yutong’s own rear-view camera system. Pelican will offer that functionality as an option on the GTe14 but it expects to utilise the same 21st Century equipment that is already available on its bus range. Pricing remains to be confirmed.
For full details on the Yutong GTe14, and the all-new U11DD battery-electric double-decker, see the June issue of routeone, published on Wednesday 14 June.
