Electric coach operator Ember has launched what it says is the UK’s “first ever coach service between two major cities using purely electric power”.
Up to eight services per day are being offered between Dundee and Edinburgh, priced at £7.50 each way when bought in advance via the firm’s app, or for a £2 premium when purchased on board.
Ember says that the zero emission service (which stops at Inchture, Perth, Kinross and Rosyth en route) is able to operate the 60-mile journey between the two cities on a single charge of the coach’s batteries.
The coach is capable of accommodating up to 45 passengers, although this is currently capped at 20 to allow for social distancing.
Features include free 5G wifi and USB at-seat chargers, and the half-leather seats can be reclined.
A live tracking service allows customers to track their coach “to the second”, and wheelchairs and bikes can be taken onboard free of charge (subject to booking in advance).
Ember is also operating a flexible booking policy, allowing customers to cancel for free any time before their departure.
Commenting on the new service, Ember’s co-founder Keith Bradbury said:
“People in the past have associated coaches with discomfort. There’s no reason why with these new Ember coaches which produce zero emissions, are quiet, produce no diesel or smelly fumes and are environmentally how we should all be travelling between major cities in future.
“We hope to be running 50 coaches within two years across Scotland if all goes to plan and then expand further across the UK.”
“These services are the ultimate in responsible travel, and ideal for business and leisure travellers alike. Our drivers are highly-trained, ensuring the journey is safe and problem-free and crucially enable you to work onboard without interruption or simply enjoy the stunning scenery en route.”
Electric buses and coaches are becoming an icreasingly common sight in the UK – last year both Birmingham and Glasgow airports began rolling out fleets of electric buses serving their terminal buildings and car parks.
Glasgow becomes first UK airport to operate electric bus fleet
