Stagecoach is expanding its electric vehicle fleet with an order for 158 Yutong electric buses from Pelican Bus and Coach.
This order follows the recent delivery of 23 single-deck Yutong electric buses to Sheffield. It makes Stagecoach the leading operator of Yutong electric vehicles in the UK, with over 200 units on order.
The new vehicles will be distributed across various locations in England, including Chesterfield, Slatyford, Rugby, Leamington, Nuneaton, Stockton, Preston, and Sunderland.
The funding for these buses comes from a combination of Stagecoach investments and local and national government support through three different funding initiatives: the Levelling Up Fund for Sunderland, the Full Electric City programme for Coventry, and the ZEBRA 2 scheme for the remaining locations, excluding Preston.
Ian Downie, Head of Yutong Sales at Pelican Bus and Coach said:We are absolutely delighted to receive these order awards from Stagecoach. Our vehicles have been successfully launched in Warwick, Inverness, and now Sheffield, with superb feedback. The state-of-the-art air conditioning and customer-centric features, along with the proven reliability and performance of the Yutong product, will continue to support Stagecoach operations. This additional order of 158 vehicles is a testament to our strong relationship with Stagecoach. The vehicles are completed at our Castleford dealership, and Pelican will support them throughout their service life.
The delivery of these vehicles will commence in July 2024, with all units expected to be in service by the third quarter of 2025.
This rapid rollout reflects the aims of Stagecoach and Pelican to implement zero-emission vehicles across the UK efficiently.
Tony Cockcroft, Stagecoach's Asset Management and Infrastructure Director said:Being the largest operator of Yutong electric vehicles in the UK affirms Stagecoach’s commitment to connecting communities across the UK sustainably and efficiently. Introducing these new electric vehicles brings us a step closer to realising our goal of being fully net zero and becoming more energy efficient.
