Arriva Bus & Coach 01274 681144 Search Latest from the Blog Browse by Category Greener Transport Solutions: Where do Electric Coaches Fit in? 15th June 2015 As the world becomes increasingly aware of our environmental responsibilities, we’re all looking for ways to reduce the impact we have on the planet. Travel is a key area for improvement when it comes to air pollution and damage, so many transportation firms are looking at ways that they can make a difference in day to day operations. Electric vehicles have been on the market for several years now, and are starting to increase in popularity as the technology involved improves. While the original electric cars had to be small to retain the charge they needed, recent innovations have allowed electric transport to grow in size and power. Bus hire and coach travel companies are now in a position to bring electric technology into everyday operations, and this could change the way we think about coach hire in the future. How do these new buses work? When electric transport first appeared, the concept was based on hybrid systems that used less fossil fuels and relied on electric power some of the time. Now, many vehicles rely entirely on lithium ion batteries, which need regular charging to keep them running. These batteries can power even large vehicles such as buses and coaches. With transport companies now trialling these vehicles, we could soon be seeing new coaches up and down the country. Do electric coaches work? Electric buses have been very successful in recent years, with San Francisco reporting that their electric bus route has been successful and has saved them money on the cost of public transport. Bangkok and Gothenburg have also experimented with their own green bus routes, with success and great feedback all round. Here in the UK, the city of York has received government funding to use electric buses for their park and ride journeys, and to add an electric vehicle to the regular city fleet. So far, results of the trial are promising and likely to be extended. However, public buses have regular stops, and can be charged frequently as a result. Is battery power enough for coach hire, which typically involves longer journeys? Many coach specialists are now looking at using the technology for their own fleet, but there are more challenges to overcome than with city buses. Benefits of electric coaches If electric technology does come to coach travel, it could cut the problem of coach repairs to a minimum. Engines and fuel systems are complicated and prone to a variety of malfunctions, whilst a battery is easy to troubleshoot and quick to replace. New buses and coaches can be built with electric technology, but it can also be retrofitted into existing vehicles at a surprisingly low cost. Is electric coach travel the future? It remains to be seen whether electric power has the capacity to perform as well as traditional petrol engines on long distance journeys and in bigger vehicles, but early results suggest that environmentally friendly coaches could soon become the norm. Coach hire firms are always looking for ways to improve their green credentials and to lessen their impact on the environment, and it seems that a new generation of hire coaches could be just around the corner. ArrowPrev Post Next PostArrow Recent Posts Oct 16, 2015 The Arriva Bus and Coach Mini Olympics READ MORE Jul 23, 2015 Luxury VanHool TX Range READ MORE Jul 02, 2015 Arriva Bus and Coach scales new heights READ MORE F L Arriva Arriva Bus and Coach Ltd. 2014 Registered in England 1075050 Registered Office Admiral Way Doxford International Business Park, Sunderland, SR3 3XP A subsidiary of ARRIVA Plc. Arriva VEHICLES New Coaches New Buses Used Coaches Used Buses Search Vehicles SERVICES Offers Rental Parts Servicing Finance SUPPORT About Us Contact Us Blog Privacy Policy Terms of Service CONTACT Lodge Garage, Whitehall Road, Cleckheaton, W. Yorks, BD19 4BJ Sales: 01274 681 144 busandcoachsales@arriva.co.uk Parts: 01274 686 707 busandcoachparts@arriva.co.uk Contact us online. © Copyright Arriva Bus and Coach Ltd. 2015 • Built by Parallax