National Express has today unveiled a first-of-its-kind electric coach which will operate on high-frequency airport services between Stansted and London from next week.

The UK’s largest scheduled coach operator is the first in the country to trial Yutong’s brand-new state-of-the-art GTe14 model, which will be in service for four weeks. It follows a trial in 2020 where National Express tested Yutong’s previous TCe12 model on the A9 service between Stansted and Stratford.

In partnership with Stansted Airport, National Express unveiled the UK’s newest, biggest, and most spacious electric coach to date at an exclusive preview event at the airport this morning, ahead of its debut journey with the first lucky customers onboard from next week.

Powered with electricity from renewable sources at Stansted Airport, and with its striking livery designed by National Express, the new electric coach has all the modern comforts with LED mood lighting, leather reclining seats, air conditioning, onboard charging, and a generous luggage allowance. 

Customers will experience a smoother, quieter, and cleaner ride, and can relax in the knowledge that the coach produces zero carbon emissions at the tailpipe. 

John Boughton, Commercial Director for National Express UK and Ireland, said:

“As the UK’s largest scheduled coach operator, we’re proud to be charging ahead and operating the very latest electric coach on our high-frequency services between Stansted Airport and London. 

“Being the market leader, we're helping to push the coach industry forward, driving innovation and efficiencies in vehicles and infrastructure as we work towards a zero emission UK coach fleet. At the same time, we’re delighted to be supporting our partners such as Stansted Airport to achieve their own sustainability goals.

“More and more people are choosing to travel with National Express as a reliable, convenient and affordable way to get around, and we're responding by investing in new vehicles and technology and delivering a brilliant customer experience.”

The coach will run up to 21 hours a day with top-up charging during scheduled stop times in between departures at Stansted Airport, and a longer charging period at the end of each day.

Gareth Powell, Managing Director of London Stansted Airport, said:

“We’re fully committed to the sustainable and responsible growth of London Stansted, so we are delighted to support this exciting and unique trial by National Express of a brand-new electric coach on airport services to and from London.

“We have already taken great strides to reduce our emissions at the airport. We have sourced all our electricity from renewable sources since April 2013, and airport operations under our direct control have been recognised as carbon neutral since 2018.

“Our focus is to continue driving forward on our commitment to reach net zero carbon operations by 2038 and will soon begin construction of a 14.3MW solar farm to meet the airport’s current and increasing electricity demands, including from the growing use of private and commercial electric vehicles.

“This trial of a battery-electric coach is another great example of exploring innovative ways with our airport partners such as National Express to continue driving down carbon emissions across all airport-related activity.”

National Express coaches travel from Stansted Airport to London over 100 times a day and customers can reach central London in as little as 50 minutes on the A9 Stansted to London Stratford service. Great value fares are available from just £11**.

John Boughton added: 

“To celebrate the trial of this brand-new electric coach, we’re urging customers who get on board to look out for their unique opportunity to win a special prize - and in the meantime, sit back, relax and enjoy the smoother, cleaner ride.”

To plan your journey or book tickets visit www.nationalexpress.com.

*Calculated with Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 2023 emission conversion factors using National Express airport routes’ average MPG.
**Limited Availability. No booking fee when logged into My Account and purchasing on the National Express website or app, otherwise £1.50 booking fee applies. Fares are correct as of 7 February 2024 for travel between 7 February 2024 - 5 June 2024.

Coaches operating on National Express airport routes between Stansted and London complete on average 139,800 miles each year. GTe14 battery-electric coaches on the same routes could save up to 160 tonnes of CO2e each year* and are therefore expected to save 13.3 tonnes of CO2e during the four-week trial.