Alternative energy sources are one of the industry’s hot topics at the moment, and Cambridgeshire operator Whippet’s early experience of electric power has been good thanks to the Yutong E12 demo
Tower Transit subsidiary Whippet, based in Cambridgeshire, has become the second operator to undertake passenger-carrying tests with Yutong’s zero-emission E12 demonstrator, and the bus has already proved itself to be “substantially better than expected.”
That’s according to General Manager Paul Young, who through his work in other parts of the group has experience of other alternative technologies.
With Whippet having come out in favour of franchising, he sees possibilities for zero emission in Cambridge.
“Initially we will run the E12 on a route serving Cambridge University, which has responded very positively to the bus’ green credentials,” says Paul. “Then we will try it elsewhere to gather as much data as possible on both city and longer duties.”
Whippet has held early discussions with the University about using zero-emission buses on a contract that it runs, and the current demonstration is largely about showing stakeholders what electric technology is all about.
And for good reason; zero emission is already becoming an aspiration in some quarters.
Target zero
“There is something of a desire for emission-free buses, although they bring with them a lot for operators to consider in terms of costings,” says Paul.
Another thing to bear in mind is range, he adds. The E12 promises a respectable 280km between charges, but importer Pelican Bus and Coach is sticking with what it said last year about battery advancements.
As the chemistry involved improves, and a number of manufacturers including Yutong have said that it is doing so at a rapid rate, there are two options. One is to maintain the existing battery mass and increase the bus’ range. The other is to maintain range and increase passenger capacity.
The former is something of relevance to Whippet’s operation. Paul explains that on the work that it does for Cambridge University, the E12’s current range is sufficient, but were it to be used on some other routes, more energy storage would be required.
Nevertheless, Whippet has an open mind about how charging could be handled. It has a few early ideas on how to keep electric buses in service for longer, but Paul sees that builders have done their bit to increase acceptability.
“We are a lot closer now to having a feasible electric bus project to take forward than we were three years ago. The vehicle is more expensive than a diesel, but there are big savings to be had on fuel costs.”
Back-up is king
Having a product that does what it says it will is one thing, but a major consideration for Tower Transit is parts availability. Pelican has gained a good name for its support of the two Yutong coaches that it supplies, and it promises the same for the E12.
“With any new vehicles we have a long conversation with the supplier about parts supply. We hold fast-moving items in stock at Swavesey but for other components I expect next-day delivery,” says Paul.
“That’s important, but Pelican seems to be aware of the issues surrounding support. In a way, the back-up needs to be even better than the bus.”
Whippet also has few concerns about its engineers’ ability to make the jump from diesel to electric, should it goes down the zero emission route.
“We invest more in staff and training than anything else. Engineers would be able to handle electric buses because they are technically-minded. They also have lower maintenance requirements, so there is less to learn.”
What is the future?
routeone has already test driven the E12, but a brief ride in it around Whippet’s base last week showed that it remains a competent performer. It has done 16,000km in Liverpool without any mechanical or electrical problems at all, says Pelican.
Notably, it is as well-suited to higher-speed work as it is to urban duties, and if battery technology comes on as rapidly as manufacturers promise it will, it may eventually allow electric to be a solution for higher-mileage routes, which as yet have been considered a step too far.
That will satisfy some local authorities (LAs). Paul adds weight to an already-aired view that some LAs are coming to favour a complete lack of emissions over other technologies, and that’s the case in Cambridge.
“It’s hard to predict the future, but we have bought into the Yutong demonstrator. Now we need to push it forward, but based on what I have seen so far, it is a useable product,” he says.
“Electric seems to be the best proposition at the moment. The E12 is impressive and it is better than I anticipated it was going to be. I was sceptical when it arrived because I have seen a lot of demonstrators and they don’t always deliver. So far, the Yutong has proved popular.”
It’s still early days for the E12, and it has ground to make up on its principal competitor. But it has already found one operator for whom it ticks the boxes.
