Following what it says were excellent reviews of its Yutong E9 which is in operation with Leicester City Council, Pelican Bus & Coach has unveiled images of its new single-door E9L, a longer version of the E9, at 9.5 metres overall length, but maintaining the 2.4m width.
Head of Yutong Sales at Pelican Ian Downie commented: “Passengers really appreciated the ease of loading on the E9, particular wheelchair users with direct access to the wheelchair area. Feedback from customers also requested a more traditional access to the vehicle, and we are delighted to bring this new version to the UK. It can be used for conventional bus operations, and with its E9 relation, offers even more flexibility for demand response transport as well. It has the fit and finish of a full size bus, but in a midibus envelope.”
The first vehicles are expected to be in the UK in early 2023. Pelican says it already has orders for 11, with a customer to be announced shortly.
The company has also revealed the first pictures of its soon to be delivered Yutong U11DD electric double-decker, which Pelican says builds on years of experience of double-deck bsues in China and for other countries Fitted with air-conditioning as standard, the vehicles will be available with either 385 or 422kWh of battery capacity using CATL batteries, and fitted with Yutong’s Electric Safety System. Pelican confirmed that due to customer interest, it will have two demonstrators in the UK available from September and November.
Ian commented: “Since I joined Pelican, we have been working on the development of this exciting product. The brief was to develop not only a zero-emission electric double decker, but also a vehicle that would be attractive to operators, passengers and drivers. It is a very proud moment to see the results, with an interior that welcomes passengers into bright, airy and air-conditioned comfort, that has a superb structure without noise and rattles, a wide roomy drivers cab with ergonomically designed controls, smooth driving characteristics, and excellent access to all components.
“We are delighted to be able demonstrate this provincial vehicle to our operators, and look forward to their feedback.”
The buses will be fitted out to provincial specification, and will be reliveried into a silver colour scheme before delivery.
