The inter-city operator is testing Yutong’s GTe14 electric coach on its Cambridge to London services
Flixbus has launched a second electric coach trial on its English inter-city network, using Pelican Bus & Coach’s Yutong GTe14 demonstrator on its route between Cambridge and London, in partnership with Whippet and Zenobē.
The electric coach will operate on the route, between Cambridge city centre and London’s Victoria Coach Station, also serving Cambridge’s Trumpington park & ride site and London’s Finchley Road, from Wednesday 14 August for a period of six weeks. The route is an almost 200km (124 mile) round trip, and follows the launch of Flixbus’ electric coach service between London, Bristol and Newport earlier this year.
Managing Director of Flixbus UK Andreas Schorling said: “Following our launch of England and Wales’ first electric coach service, we’re thrilled to be trialling another zero-emission service as we build the largest coach network in the country.”
The vehicle, provided by Pelican Yutong, will save an estimated 167kg of carbon emissions per day (two round trips) on the route compared to the average diesel-fuelled coach.
The coach is being operated by Flixbus partner operator Whippet, based in Cambridge. Whippet parent company Ascendal Group’s UK Managing Director Jonathan Ziebart commented: “12 months after launching the UK’s first privately funded electric bus network, Whippet is delighted to be strengthening our position as early adopters of zero-emission coach technology as we launch Cambridge’s first ever battery-electric coach.”
Attending the launch of the trial, Deputy Mayor for Cambridge and Peterborough Anna Smith, said: “I want to congratulate Whippet and Flixbus on this exciting new venture. We’ve already seen the great success of electric buses in Cambridge city, but the opportunity to run electric buses and coaches over a longer journey is a real game changer. I wish the trial every success and will follow the outcomes closely.”
The electric vehicle has a battery rating of 563kWh, and will be charged at Whippet’s Swavesey depot using infrastructure provided by Zenobē. Zenobē will install its telematics onto the coach to capture data on the performance of the vehicle and on-board battery. This information will help Flixbus to develop its strategy to expand electric coach services within its route network in the UK. Zenobē will also support with the energy required to charge the e-coach, with a focused on implementing the optimal charging strategy.
Co-founder of Zenobē Steven Meersman said: “With over 1,200 electric buses globally, we bring our extensive expertise in charging infrastructure, software and telematics to this e-coach trial with Flixbus and Whippet. We look forward to analysing data such as the charging profile of the vehicle and exploring how more coaches serving long-distance routes can be supported in the UK and around the world.”
“Flix champions sustainable travel and we are on a mission to drive change to reduce carbon emissions not only in the UK but globally through partnerships like this one,” concluded Andreas.
