Nottingham City Transport (NCT) is the first operator to be named as a customer for the updated Yutong U11DD battery-electric double-decker after it placed an order with Pelican Bus and Coach for 13 of the type.

They will enter service in late-2026 and be full-height examples. The decision to go with the U11DD follows completion of rollout by NCT of 62 E10 and E12 battery-electric single-deckers from Yutong, which the municipal operator says have proved “world class.”

The updated U11DD made its global debut at Busworld Brussels in October and promises various improvements over the existing U11DD, including a flat floor in both saloons via a repackaging exercise.

To foster adoption of battery-electric double-deckers with Nottingham City Transport, the East Midlands Combined County Authority will support an eventual 19 of that vehicle type with £4.5 million of funding.

NCT says that its decision on the opening zero-emission double-deck order followed “rigorous assessment” of multiple types and the trial of several of those. Arrival of the 13 Yutong U11DD models in Nottingham will represent the start of electrification of its double-deck fleet.

Managing Director David Astill notes how rollout of the 62 single-decks “marks a major milestone for NCT as we transition to a zero-emission fleet.” Those buses have already covered 3.6 million km and the operator has calculated that they have regenerated over 2.1 million kWh of energy during operation.

Mr Astill has thanked Pelican, Yutong and infrastructure and charging specialist Zenobē, which delivered the necessary equipment at NCT’s Trent Bridge depot. The U11DD fleet will work from Parliament Street depot, where infrastructure work is underway.

“Our attention will now turn to the double-deck fleet, and I am pleased to confirm that we have placed an initial order for 13 electric double-decks which will be delivered in the autumn of next year.”

Adds Head of Yutong UK Ian Downie: “The performance of out single-decks has demonstrated that our vehicles are at the vanguard of reliable and efficient zero-emission buses, with fantastic feedback from passengers and drivers.

“It is a testament to the service we provide that NCT has honoured Pelican with an additional 13 electric double-decks. The NCT team has been instrumental in designing the revised UK double-decker and we are really looking forward to NCT being the first operator of the full-height vehicle in the UK.”