As we reported in issue 1610 when we looked at Maynes of Buckie, the company is keen to be at the forefront of new electric bus technology, and is working to reduce its carbon emissions. The company took a Yutong TCe12 coach for demonstration in 2023, and following land acquisition at its Buckie depot, and expansion work, the company says it is now planning for the introduction of electric and hydrogen coaches, the latter in conjunction with the Speyside Hydrogen Project.
Making progress on electrification, the company says it looks forward to working closely with Zenobē and Transport Scotland in the years ahead following the allocation of funding in phase 2 of the ScotZEB zero emission bus scheme.
Maynes describes its plans as ‘extensive and futuristic,’ with new development of its yard and expansion allowing more space for the charging infrastructure required, whilst solar power harvesting will also be used. The company also has charging facilities planned at its Elgin and Orkney depots.
Working with EVM, Maynes says it has created an electric version of a Sprinter to full coaching specification and has initially ordered two, with the first to be delivered early 2025. An initial delivery of an order for 10 full size electric will see three Yutong TCe12coaches arrive during early 2025, and the remaining seven delivered late 2025 and early 2026, making around one third of the Maynes fleet of 45 zero-emission within the next two years.
