Cardiff Bus unveils Yutong electric buses
Cardiff Bus has unveiled its new fleet of 36 Yutong E12 electric single-deckers.
The purchase of the fleet marks the start of the operator’s fleet modernisation plans, with the new vehicles accounting for 24% of its fleet. The purchase of the vehicles by the operator and its shareholder, Cardiff Council, was aided by a successful bid for funding from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Ultra-Low Emissions Bus Scheme. They are equipped with next stop audio and visual announcements, and USB ports for the convenience of customers during their journeys.
Battery storage specialist, Zenobē, has financed and implemented the charging infrastructure for the 36 vehicles and an end-to-end software solution to manage fleet charging, as well as the resulting power requirements.
“We take our role in improving the air quality in Cardiff very seriously” – Paul Dyer, Managing Director at Cardiff Bus
Paul Dyer, Managing Director at Cardiff Bus, said: “We are extremely proud to unveil our new fleet of 36 fully electric buses. It is a huge step in not only our goal to reach zero emissions, but also our goal of providing a first-class service to our customers.
“Cardiff Bus has been committed to providing travel for the people of our city for nearly 120 years, and we are extremely proud of the part we play in city life. We take our role in improving the air quality in Cardiff very seriously and we know that this development is going to be instrumental in ensuring city life can continue in a more green and sustainable fashion.
“I’d like to thank those involved in the project thus far, and our drivers, engineers, and all support staff who have played a key part in getting these new buses onto the streets of our city.
“This investment wouldn’t have been possible without the support of wider stakeholders and our shareholder Cardiff Council. We look forward to continuing to work closely with them to make bus travel the preferred method of travelling around our city.”
“The full air conditioning, wifi with USB charging vehicles, are not only zero-emissioned, but also smooth and quiet in operation” – Ian Downie, Head of Yutong Bus UK for Pelican
Ian Downie, Head of Yutong Bus UK for Pelican, said: “It was a pleasure working with the Cardiff team. After an in-depth tender process, we worked with the team to produce these state-of-the-art zero-emission vehicles. With over 127,000 zero-emission Yutongs in service, completing 27 billion kilometres of operational service, the vehicles are tried, tested and proven. Cardiff’s specification required a number of UK supplied components to be fitted, which our team of UK engineers in Castleford completed over the past six weeks.
“The full air conditioning, wifi with USB charging vehicles, are not only zero-emissioned, but also smooth and quiet in operation, demonstrating Cardiff Bus’s commitment to bring environmentally friendly and enhanced customer centric vehicles to the population of Cardiff.”
“This project could not have happened without close collaboration between Cardiff Bus, the Welsh government, Pelican/Yutong and Zenobē” – Steven Meersman, Co-Founder of Zenobē
Steven Meersman, Co-Founder of Zenobē, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Cardiff Bus to facilitate the launch of its electric offering and help grow sustainable transport in Wales. This project could not have happened without close collaboration between Cardiff Bus, the Welsh government, Pelican/Yutong and Zenobē. Our charging infrastructure and intelligent flexible power solution will enable Cardiff Bus to futureproof and charge its new fleet reliably and efficiently. We’re excited to be boosting accessibility to sustainable travel and clean air across the city and supporting a swift transition to a low-carbon future.”