First electric coaches for Wales to launch next year
Newport Transport is to launch electric coaches.
The four electric Yutong TCE12 coaches from Pelican Bus and Coach will begin operating in March 2023 and will be the first electric coaches for Wales.
Additionally, the delivery of a further 12 Yutong E10 and E12 electric buses in the same period will take the EV bus fleet to 44 electric buses. The expansion will make up 44% of Newport Transport’s overall bus fleet, the largest ratio of electric to diesel buses in a fleet outside of London.
In addition to the coaches, Newport Transport has ordered 12 electric Yutong buses too
Scott Pearson, Managing Director at Newport Transport, said: “I am passionate about quality public transport, but I am even more passionate about the environment. We must make these kinds of changes now, for our planet, and keep moving things forward despite funding being tight. At Newport Transport, we’re showing what’s possible, despite being a smaller municipal operator.
“We are leading the way in Wales, with our EV fleet improving air quality and CO2 emissions across the city and surrounding areas. With the introduction of an electric coach fleet, we’ll be continuing to provide innovative, environmentally sustainable transport solutions for the city and improving air quality nationwide.
“We at Newport Transport are excited for further collaboration with the team at Zenobē and Pelican Yutong, as we work towards our vision of a net-zero fleet.”
The company’s aim to be net zero by 2028 is on course, boosted by the announcement of the 16 new charging points in partnership with Zenobē, which will enable all electric buses to be on the road at the same time and provide greater charging flexibility for future fleet expansion.
Bradley Fox, Business Development Manager at Zenobē, said: “Newport Bus is the first bus operator in the UK using this model and technology. Advances in electrification of buses has been made as a result of the company’s commitment to environmental innovation.
“Our work with the team at Newport Bus to develop the plan for the infrastructure and implementation of the batteries and chargers at the depot has resulted in Zenobē developing the technology across the UK, Europe and further afield.”
Chris Murrell, Group After-sales manager at Pelican, said: “Every electric bus on the road is a step in the right direction. The environmental effect goes beyond just the emissions of the bus – it is one less engine being produced and maintained, meaning a saving of 3-400 gallons of oil every year.
“It was a proud occasion to be at the ICC celebrating Newport Transport’s achievements, and we look forward to a long future collaborating with Scott and the team.”
“We’re now supporting 700 electric buses across the world as a result of this success, and we look forward to our partnership continuing.”
Newport Transport’s six stage Environmental Action plan also aims to implement ambitious changes across the business, and within the community, which will see them achieve stage five by 2024. This includes full digital heating management system across the Corporation Road depot, saving of 97 tonnes of CO2 over 12 months, and a significant increase in solar generation of EV power from behind the meter into the fleet solar generation (45,600 kW/h per annum).