First Bus has placed a substantial order for 169 electric buses from Chinese manufacturer Yutong through British importer Pelican Bus and Coach. The order, set to be delivered over the next 16 months, represents Yutong’s largest single order for buses in the UK and marks a significant step towards First Bus’s goal of achieving a fully emissions-free bus fleet by 2035.
The electric buses will be distributed across four depots in Taunton, Weston-super-Mare, Basildon, and Hengrove in Bristol, all of which will integrate electric buses into their fleets for the first time. This expansion will contribute to First Bus’s existing fleet of over 800 emissions-free vehicles across 16 depot sites throughout the UK, supported by comprehensive charging infrastructure.
Andrew Jarvis, Chief Operating Officer for First Bus, highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainability: “We are delighted to place this order with the team at Pelican. This order marks another significant milestone as we invest further in our journey towards a zero-emission bus fleet across our UK operations.”
The investment, totaling £89 million, includes funding secured in partnership with Local Authorities and additional support from the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme. Jarvis emphasized the benefits of the new buses for customers, citing improved local air quality and enhanced passenger experience with state-of-the-art electric vehicles.
The order encompasses a variety of Yutong models, including single and double-decker buses from the E10, E12, and U11DD series, expanding the presence of Yutong electric vehicles already operational in First Bus fleets in Aberdeen, Leeds, and Cymru.
