The 2,000th Yutong vehicle for the UK has been registered by dealership Pelican Bus and Coach in a GT12 coach for First Bus that will be used on FlixBus services.

Pelican Managing Director Richard Crump says: “Every registration is a celebration of our relationship with our customers, but this 2,000th is a very special milestone for both Pelican and Yutong in the UK.” “It is fitting that the vehicle is the successor to the TC12, which was our first vehicle. We continue to invest heavily in the UK product range, with diesel and electric two- and three-axle coaches, electric single-deck and double-deck buses, and an airside bus.” “This is testament to the continuous investment that Pelican and Yutong provide for our Yutong customers, and we hope for many more milestones to come.”

The GT12 for First Bus will join the operator’s West of England fleet. It is part of a 21-strong order by the group for FlixBus contracts.

First Bus Managing Director (B2B) Andrew Jarvis (pictured, right) notes that the group was the first UK operator to place a fleet order for Yutong vehicles in 2018 when it agreed the supply of 43 TC12 coaches. Those went to the Somerset Passenger Solutions business. More recently it has taken battery-electric Yutong buses in large numbers.

Andreas Schorling, FlixBus UK Senior Managing Director, says that procurement of those is part of the business continuing “its inevitable journey towards market leadership.” He adds: “The launch of our partnership with First Bus is made all the more special with Yutong’s 2,000th vehicle in the UK. We will watch with pride as the vehicles begin operating FlixBus services across the UK, opening new routes to meet passenger demand ahead of the busy summer season.”

In 2018, Yutong's first battery electric vehicle entered the UK market. Through continuous optimization of product performance and service systems, Yutong has established in-depth collaborations with multiple cities across the UK, supporting the nation’s vision for cleaner and more sustainable urban transportation.

In 2021, Yutong made its debut at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), presenting zero-emission transportation system solutions for the UK. In 2023, the Yutong E12 battery electric bus, renowned for its outstanding environmental performance, received dual authoritative certifications from the UK's Zemo Partnership and UTAC, with its energy consumption and carbon emission metrics surpassing EU standards. By 2024, Yutong's " Net Zero Forest " initiative successfully planted 4,500 trees of 22 different species in the UK, making a positive contribution to improving local air quality and enhancing biodiversity.

Moving forward, Yutong will continue to deepen its strategic presence in the UK market, leveraging innovative technology R&D and localized operations to provide efficient and reliable full-scenario solutions for the electrification of public transportation in the UK. We will work hand in hand with partners in the UK and across Europe to advance the construction of a zero-emission transportation system, supporting the achievement of Europe’s carbon neutrality goals.

* Some of the article content is sourced from ROUTE ONE. Some images are sourced from Easonyx.