First all-electric coach takes to the roads

A West Midlands bus and coach operator is leading the drive to zero emissions after investing in the region’s first all-electric coach.

Solihull-based LandFlight Travel Services is taking green travel up a gear following delivery of the new 50-seater Yutong TCe12 coach, which is now in service on daily commuter routes for corporate clients.

The coach produces zero nitrogen oxides, which are produced when fuel burns at high temperatures, zero carbon dioxide and zero other emissions.

The all-electric coach is expected to save an estimated 50,000Kgs of CO2 per year and is part of the company’s wider commitment to sustainability.

Day-to-day charging is carried out at LandFlight’s base in Solihull, with a full charge enabling the coach to travel in excess of 200 miles.

LandFlight director Danny Matthews said: “Being fully electric means zero emissions when the coach is travelling, so this really is a very important leap forward in the West Midlands region to greener coach travel.

“However, the first thing most passengers notice when travelling on our new electric coach is the silence as there’s no engine.

“Our drivers are also really enjoying it behind the wheel. They undergo special training to familiarise themselves with driving an electric coach but it is actually quite similar to driving a diesel model.”

Recognising the need to invest in a greener future, he added: “The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has set milestone dates for all regional buses to be non-diesel (zero emission) by 2033 at the very latest, but there is currently no such date for coaches.

“As a business, and as an industry, we need to push forward with zero-emission coach travel and introduce new technology to reduce emissions where possible.”