Relaxation of weight limits for two-axle coaches means high-spec HTC12 on cards for UK buyers
Pelican Bus and Coach showed both examples of its existing Yutong coach range at CBUK, along with the E12 electric bus demonstrator. It has also confirmed that plans to to move ahead with the high-specification HTC12 coach.
The HTC12 is 12.25m long and while its arrival in the UK has long been mooted, it has been delayed until the Department for Transport adopted a relaxation in weight limits for two-axle PCVs to 19.5t.
That has now happened and Pelican MD Richard Crump says that a HTC12 is likely to appear on its stand at Euro Bus Expo 2018.
Overall length of the HTC12 for right-hand drive markets is not yet finalised, but it’s likely to be in the region of 12.9m, says Mr Crump, offering a potential maximum capacity of 57 passengers. It will retain the TC12’s DAF MX-11 and ZF EcoLife driveline, he adds.
“The HTC12 will raise our presence in the full-size coach sector and develop the specification of the TC12, although not massively,” adds Mr Crump. “Our plan at the moment is to have one on display next year.”
Yutong has already shown a HTC12 in Europe at Busworld Kortrijk in 2015. It was finished to a high specification and the model has a look that is distinct from the TC9 and TC12 coaches.
