Newport Transport takes Wales’ first electric coaches
Newport Transport has added four electric Yutong TCe12 coaches to its fleet. They are the first electric coaches for Wales.
The operator’s TCe12s carry up to 46 passengers and come with front and centre passenger doors on the near side. The centre door and floor section allow for wheelchair access. They also feature onboard toilets, air conditioning and USB plugs.
The electric drive line and control system is identical to that used in the E10 and E12, which Newport Transport currently uses on its city bus services. With a 281Kwh battery, the operator expects a range of over 200 miles on a single charge.
The new coaches are envisioned to provide environmentally friendly travel options for its private hire, day trip programmes and southeast Wales schools and organisations.
“With the introduction of electric coaches to our fleet, we continue to show our commitment to providing innovative, environmentally sustainable transport solutions for South Wales” – Scott Pearson, Managing Director at Newport Transport
Scott Pearson, Managing Director at Newport Transport, said: “Our EV fleet is already leading the way in Wales, bringing improvement to air quality across the city and surrounding areas. With the introduction of electric coaches to our fleet, we continue to show our commitment to providing innovative, environmentally sustainable transport solutions for South Wales.
“We are excited for further collaboration with the teams at Pelican Engineering / Yutong UK and Zenobe as we work towards our vision of a net zero fleet.”
“Newport Transport were the first customer of Pelican in the UK, and these are the fourth tranche of vehicles delivered into Newport” – Ian Downie, Head of Yutong UK
Ian Downie, Head of Yutong UK, said: “We are delighted that our ongoing partnership with Newport Transport has resulted in the first order for a zero-emission coach in Wales being received from Newport. The feedback from their customers, including school children, is how smooth, quiet, and, more importantly, environmentally friendly these new vehicles are. Newport Transport were the first customer of Pelican in the UK, and these are the fourth tranche of vehicles delivered into Newport, so the relationship continues to prosper for the benefit of Newport’s population.”
“This new investment was made possible through our vehicle and battery financing solution” – Steven Meersman, Co-founder and Director of Zenobē
Zenobē, the international EV fleet and battery storage specialist, has also supported the delivery of the four coaches.
Steven Meersman, Co-founder and Director of Zenobē, said: “Our financing solutions are supporting the introduction of four fully electric coaches into Newport Transport’s fleet. This is enabling them to continue their ongoing transition to electric vehicles without the associated upfront costs and more importantly, without delay.
“This new investment was made possible through our vehicle and battery financing solution which will guarantee the health and performance of each onboard battery for the next 16 years, ensuring they meet the route’s milage requirements.
“The eCoaches will also benefit from the smart charging infrastructure we already operate and maintain within Newport Transport’s depot for its growing fleet of electric buses. This is another exciting milestone in the electrification of transport in Wales, which we continue to support.”