The first Yutong U11DD battery-electric double-decker for the UK has made its debut in China ahead of shipping later this month.
It follows an extensive development programme for the model, which Yutong says has achieved some “breakthroughs” on lightweighting. The initial bus is a demonstrator that will start use with potential buyers in September. It will be followed by a second demonstrator to accelerate that programme, says Head of Yutong UK Ian Downie.
Both demonstrators will be to single-door provincial specification and the first is to be reliveried into silver before it leaves China. It has 68 of Yutong’s own seats, with 43 upstairs and 25 – including four tip-ups across separate wheelchair user and buggy areas – on the lower deck. Two U11DDs are also on order for established Yutong buyer Newport Transport.
Alfatronix Alfacharge seatback mobile device holder and charger units are fitted, along with some combined USB-A and USB-C sockets in the sidewalls. Like the E9, E10 and E12 battery-electric single-deck buses, the U11DD is air-conditioned.
Dealership Pelican Bus and Coach will offer the U11DD with either 385 or 422kW/h of energy capacity from its lithium iron phosphate batteries and it has the same energy-efficient driveline as used in other models.
The first bus has a rear-view camera system along with a centre offside emergency door and a window at the lower level of its staircase. Representatives of Yutong have told routeone that they have high hopes for the U11DD’s success in the UK market. It is one of two new battery-electric models coming here, the other being the GTe14 tri-axle coach.
Speaking about the bus, Mr Downie adds: “Since I joined Pelican, we have been working on the development of this exciting project. The brief was to develop not only a zero-emission battery-electric double-deck, but also a vehicle that would be attractive to operators, passengers and drivers.
“It is a very proud moment to see the results, with an interior that welcomes passengers into the bright, airy and air-conditioned comfort, that has a superb structure without noise and rattles, a wide and roomy driver’s cab with ergonomically designed controls, smooth driving characteristics, and excellent access to all components.
“We are very excited to be able to demonstrate this provincial vehicle to our operators and we look forward to their feedback.”
For full details on the U11DD, the GTe14 and Yutong’s wider development of its battery-electric offering, see the June issue of routeone, published on Wednesday 14 June.
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