Nottingham City Transport and Pelican Bus & Coach unveil next generation electric double-decker
Nottingham City Transport and Pelican Bus and Coach have unveiled the first vehicle from an order for 18 electric buses.
Taking pride of place on the Pelican stand at the Euro Bus Expo, the vehicle marked an important milestone in the partnership between the three organisations.
The new-generation U11DD incorporates a range of design changes, including a redesigned front end, increased battery capacity and a reconfigured lower-deck saloon.
Working closely with Pelican and Yutong, NCT has helped shape the vehicle around the practical requirements of everyday passenger operations.
A key focus has been accessibility, with several changes designed to improve the experience for passengers with specific requirements.
The revised specification includes two wheelchair bays, hearing loops and step-free access to the rear of the lower deck.
A lighter internal wooden floor contrasts with hand poles and seating to help provide a calm environment for neurodivergent passengers.
Following passenger feedback, the bus includes a resting arm pad at wheelchair height, while the seats incorporate recycled marine waste.
David Astill, NCT managing director, said: “We are all very proud of this head-turning design and we were delighted to launch this ‘star of the show’ at this year’s Euro Bus Expo.”
He added that the operator was confident customers would be delighted with the ride quality and specification of the futuristic-looking buses.
Ian Downie, head of Yutong UK at Pelican, said: “By working in total partnership with our customers, we can harness our engineering capabilities and bring a new generation of electric double decker for UK passengers.”