Long-established family business Pelican Engineering, based in West Yorkshire, has been awarded the contract to supply eight all-electric, zero emission buses by Carmarthenshire County Council following a competitive tendering process.
The eight E12 Yutong zero emission vehicles are destined for use on the TrawsCymru route from Carmarthen to Aberystwyth. The electric buses will be fully commissioned and completed at Pelican in Castleford, a third-generation family business which employs 160 people.
The Yutong E12 electric bus model provides zero emission at the point of use, bringing benefits to air quality and the environment. The charging infrastructure is already in progress, and the vehicles will be the first electric buses in the UK capable of charging at 240kWs per hour, allowing rapid recharging.
A state-of-the-art specification, unique to Carmarthenshire County Council, will ensure customer safety and comfort. The vehicles will be fitted with enhanced seating, as well as full air conditioning. WIFI, USB charging, and the very latest level passenger information systems will ensure that passengers arrive at their destinations in a level of comfort not normally seen in bus operations. The vehicles will also be fitted with industry leading safety systems, including ABS and Yutong Electric Safety Systems.
Ian Downie, Head of Yutong Bus UK, commented: “We are thrilled to have been successfully awarded this prestigious contract by Carmarthenshire County Council. The specification that they have stipulated will be unique within the UK and takes passenger comfort levels to the next level. These quiet, zero emission buses will be making a significant impact to air quality in South West Wales.”
Stephen Pilliner, Head of Transportation and Highways at Carmarthenshire County Council, commented: “We are delighted to be working with Wales Government and Transport for Wales on this vanguard project for South West Wales. The Ultra Low emission buses will be used on the TrawsCymru Carmarthen to Aberystwyth services and will provide passengers with a modern service that will decarbonise transport and provide an attractive public transport option for customers.”
Family-owned Pelican Engineering was established in 1919 by Richard Crump’s grandfather Ernest Crump, and partners with some of the leading manufacturers in the world to deliver the very latest commercial vehicle technology to the UK. Its bus and coach business is at the forefront of the zero emission passenger vehicle revolution, and the group’s truck dealerships are among the largest in the region. Pelican is now one of the top 500 largest businesses in Yorkshire and it is continuing to rapidly gain market share in the growing zero-emission passenger vehicle market.
