National Express is partnering with London Stansted Airport to trial an electric bus, which will carry passengers from their gate to the plane.
The Cobus 2700 bus can run for up to 8 hours a day, with a capacity for 88 standing passengers.
It is initially being deployed for a four week trial to explore its operational feasibility at Stansted Airport.
Kevin Frazer, South East Operations Director for National Express, said:’The switch from diesel to electric vehicles is an adjustment that requires changes in charging infrastructure, maintenance and driving practice. In preparation for the trial, we’ve introduced some new processes and 10 drivers have undergone additional training to familiarise themselves with the vehicles.‘
Throughout the electric bus trial, feedback will be collected from both drivers and passengers and data will be gathered to determine how the vehicle works in a real environment at Stansted Airport.
The airport hopes that this will help the team to determine how electric vehicles can be used at Stansted in the future.
Steve Mills London Stansted’s surface manager said:London Stansted is delighted to partner with National Express as we continue to explore innovative and energy efficient ways to drive down carbon emissions to underpin our focus on the sustainable and responsible growth at the airport.
We are proud that operations under our direct control are already carbon neutral, but we are committed to achieving net zero by 2038 so await the results of this trial with great interest.
National Express intends for its entire UK fleet to be net zero by 2035, ahead of the UK target of 2050. This commitment will support Stansted Airport in its 2038 net-zero goals.
