Pelican Engineering of Castleford, West Yorkshire, says it is ‘absolutely delighted’ to be providing the first Yutong bus to be placed into service in Scotland with Scottish Power, funded by Hitachi Capital. The 10.9 metre vehicle was delivered in November to Whitelee Windfarm Visitor Centre.
Whitelee is the UK’s largest onshore windfarm, located on Eaglesham Moor just 20 minutes from central Glasgow. Its 215 turbines generate up to 539 megawatts of electricity, enough to power almost 350,000 homes.
The vehicle not only is the first Yutong zero emission bus in service in Scotland, it is also the first E10 fitted with seatbelts, ensuring the visitors to the centre are transported safely. The bus is also fitted with full electric air-conditioning, a 360 degree camera system and passenger information systems, and recharged using fast DC charging. The vehicle can be fully charged in less than three hours. The vehicle was fully completed in the UK by Pelican at its facility in Castleford.
Ian Downie, Head of Yutong Bus UK, said: “It is a fantastic story, that with the increased focus on wind generating clean energy, that Scottish Power has invested in a zero emission vehicle powered by renewable electricity. This has to be one of the cleanest vehicles in the world, showcasing wind generating electricity and zero emission passenger transport to the visitors. This is a live example of building back greener.”
