East Yorkshire Buses has been lent a single-decker electric bus to run a three-week trial on one of its routes in Hull.
The vehicle has been tested on the 66 service between Hull and Hessle, clocking up more than 100 miles a day.
Andy Benstead, Head of Engineering at East Yorkshire Buses, said: “Hull’s not really in touch with the electric commercial vehicle trend yet. This bus was the first to hit service, and for me it was quite a big thing, experiencing and understanding this new technology and what it can do.
“Considering how complex the system is, the simplicity of it is fantastic. It’s very easy to operate and delivers an exceptionally smooth and quiet ride, the regenerative braking is especially clever.
“We’ve had really positive feedback from our drivers, and it’s created a buzz in Hull – with passengers asking drivers whether it was going to be the same bus that would be turning up every day!
“We already have a very close working relationship with Volvo, so the great support we’ve received during the trial was no surprise. We would really like to see this technology in our area in the future.”
City Council representatives Kerry Ryan and Mark Ieronimo have been impressed with the bus. Said Cllr Ieronimo: “We were very impressed by the performance and benefits of the electric bus. It is quiet, smooth, comfortable and eco-friendly. We are committed to improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions in Hull. Electric buses are a great way to achieve our long-term goals, as they can reduce pollution, noise, and greenhouse gases.”
Kerry Ryan added: “I had never been on an electric bus until the Volvo BZL Electric. The difference is astonishing, not only the sound but also the smoothness of the ride. We all came away very impressed, and it’s a good experience for us if an opportunity was to present itself in the future, particularly when it comes to discussing how we could support our commercial operators with infrastructure.”
