NCT has a long track record of supporting bus building in the UK, although many are now owned by international companies. Our bio-gas buses were assembled and bodied in the UK, but their chassis was manufactured overseas.
We undertook a rigorous public procurement process and operational trial of many electric buses. Some of those bus trials were disappointing and the buses just didn't meet our needs and would likely have required more buses than we actually needed, as we'd have to swap and charge them during the day.
Yutong Bus & Coach were the clear winner, with tried and tested buses that are superior in terms of space and comfort for passengers, with air conditioning as standard. Their buses can do a full days' operation on a single, overnight charge and come with advanced battery technology and safety systems.
In today's global market, buying only British is increasingly difficult as components and parts for buses come from all over the world. Other UK based manufacturers, for example, who participated in our procurement process partner with other Chinese bus manufacturers for large parts of the vehicle, primarily the battery and electrics.
Our electric buses support British jobs at
Pelican Bus & Coach, who add about 40% of the value of the buses when finishing them to NCT's specification at their factory in Yorkshire. Pelican have expanded in recent years because of the volume of buses and coaches they are importing.
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