Zeelo running electric coach taster program
Zeelo is expanding its net-zero commuter bus taster program to independent schools. In a roadshow organised in collaboration with its client RNN Group, students from three colleges have had the opportunity to ride a Zeelo-branded electric Yutong TCe12 between several campuses to attend workshops and seminars to learn the value of emissions-free mass transport. Wilfreda Beehive is one of four operators that have joined forces with Zeelo to run active services on Zeelo’s electric coach.
Students from the motor vehicle departments at Rotherham College, North Notts College and Dearne Valle College trialled the coach this week and received an introduction to smart and sustainable transport from Zeelo and Wilfreda Beehive operational teams before being split off into subject groups with their tutors to discuss electric vehicle technology and its relevance to their course. The educational roadshow also included interviews with bus drivers to get under the skin of the real-life considerations for fleet electrification.
RNN Group is one of several Zeelo clients including Jaguar Land Rover and ASOS that have started testing Zeelo’s electric bus service which is also optimised with a proprietary GPS routing algorithm for faster, safer, smarter and greener commutes to school, and work and have reported positive feedback.
“Over the last two years we have invested over £3 million in cleaner Euro VI diesel buses and coaches and the next logical step is the move to zero emissions” – Phil Haxby, Director at Wilfreda Beehive
Phil Haxby, Director at Wilfreda Beehive, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be involved in this battery-electric coach trial in partnership with Zeelo. Over the last two years we have invested over £3 million in cleaner Euro VI diesel buses and coaches and the next logical step is the move to zero emissions. We very much look forward to gaining valuable insight and experience from this project to assist us in our future investment strategy.”
“Zeelo’s commitment to make the switch to emissions-free smart buses is backed up by a robust and detailed plan of action that allows us to ensure that we can achieve a sustainable transition in time, and illustrate to the wider industry that it’s feasible” – Sam Ryan, CEO and Co-Founder of Zeelo
Sam Ryan, CEO and Co-Founder of Zeelo, said: “Going green requires the right partnerships and educating all relevant stakeholders, including the next generations. I also believe it requires real-life trials to accelerate adoption. I’m thrilled organisations like RNN Group are jumping onboard our net-zero program alongside our corporate clients and our network of bus operator partners, such as Wilfreda Beehive in the UK. This buy-in is so important. Zeelo’s commitment to make the switch to emissions-free smart buses is backed up by a robust and detailed plan of action that allows us to ensure that we can achieve a sustainable transition in time, and illustrate to the wider industry that it’s feasible.”
Zeelo has committed to delivering a net-zero mass transit service by 2030, estimating almost 9 million rides per year will be on electric bus services and has won the Connect22 award for its sustainability efforts.