FlixBus trials London – Cambridge electric coach service (in partnership with Whippet and Zenobē)

FlixBus has launched in mid August a 100% electric long-distance coach service between Cambridge and London in partnership with carrier Whippet and Zenobē.

The route is an almost 200km (124 miles) round trip, and is trialled for six weeks on FlixBus’ long-distance coach network.

The news follows the launch of another pilot in England and Wales earlier this year. And it is worth mentioning that coach operator Ember has already been deploying electric coaches in Scotland since 2020.

FlixBus pilots with e-coaches and projects on H2

FlixBus now has over 60 destinations on its UK network. The group has already piloted electric vehicles in several markets and aims to achieve carbon neutrality throughout Europe by 2040.

Taking a few steps back, in mid-2023 a e-coach was launched in Portugal, also sourced from Yutong. FlixMobility is also taking part in the research project HyFleet together with its partners Freudenberg Fuel Cell e-Power Systems and ZF, with focus on the rollout of hydrogen coaches. A cooperation with German technology group Freudenberg was announced already in late 2019. Ultimate goal? Having hydrogen long-distance buses on the European network by 2024.

However, battery-electric coach pilots are now launched again, after a couple pilots were launched in 2018 – 2019 in France and Germany (the German project was discontinued due to technical issues).

FlixBus electric coach pilot between London and Cambridge

The electric vehicle has been driving on a FlixBus route between Cambridge city centre, Trumpington Park and Ride, London Finchley Road and Victoria Coach Station from Wednesday 14 August.

The coach used for this purpuse, a Yutong GTe14, “offers the most up to date electric coach vehicle technology, with zero emissions at the tailpipe”, Flix states.

The vehicle includes a toilet, USB charging points and free wi-fi for all customers as standard on FlixBus services, as well as being PSVAR compliant, supporting travel for passengers in wheelchairs.

Andreas Schorling, Managing Director of FlixBus UK said: “Following our launch of England and Wales first electric coach service, we’re thrilled to be trialling another zero-emission service as we build the largest coach network in the country.”

Jonathan Ziebart, UK Managing Director of Ascendal, Whippet’s parent company, commented: “12 months after launching the UK’s first privately funded electric bus network, Whippet is delighted to be strengthening our position as early adopters of zero-emission coach technology as we launch Cambridge’s first ever battery-electric coach.”

Attending the launch, Deputy Mayor for Cambridge and Peterborough Anna Smith, said: “I want to congratulate Whippet and FlixBus on this exciting new venture. We’ve already seen the great success of electric buses in Cambridge City, but the opportunity to run electric buses and coaches over a longer journey is a real game changer. I wish the trial every success and will follow the outcomes closely.”