Nottingham City Transport and Pelican Bus & Coach Unveil Next-Generation Yutong U11DD Electric Double-Decker at Euro Bus Expo 2026

Nottingham City Transport (NCT) and Pelican Bus & Coach have unveiled the first vehicle from NCT’s prestigious order for 18 Yutong U11DD electric double-decker buses at Euro Bus Expo, showcasing a new generation of vehicle developed through close collaboration between the operator, Pelican and manufacturer Yutong. 

Taking pride of place on the Pelican stand, the vehicle marked an important milestone in the partnership between the three organisations, demonstrating how direct engagement between operator, distributor and manufacturer can translate into meaningful improvements in vehicle design, accessibility and passenger experience. 

The new-generation U11DD incorporates a range of significant design and specifications changes, including a redesigned front end, increased battery capacity, a reconfigured lower-deck saloon, revised rear seating, updated ceilings and a new upper-deck flooring arrangement. 

The development represents far more than a conventional model update. Working closely with Pelican and Yutong, NCT has helped shape the vehicle around the practical requirements of its operation and the needs of the passengers who use its services every day.

A genuine partnership built around passenger needs

A key focus of the bespoke vehicles has been accessibility, with the new U11DD incorporating several changes designed to improve the experience for passengers with accessibility requirements.

The revised specification includes two wheelchair bays, hearing loops and step-free access to the rear of the lower deck, alongside a more considered interior layout. A lighter, natural looking internal wooden floor, which contrasts with hand poles and the seat design, also helps provide a calm, welcoming environment for neurodivergent passengers. 

Importantly, passenger feedback has played a direct role in the design process. Following a suggestion from a wheelchair-using passenger, the new vehicle includes a resting arm pad positioned at wheelchair height, providing a more practical and accessible point of support. 

The seats also incorporate recycled marine waste, bringing further sustainability considerations into the design.

Together, these changes reflect an approach to vehicle development that goes beyond specification sheets. By bringing together NCT’s understanding of its customers, Pelican’s knowledge of the UK market and Yutong’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities, the partners have worked to ensure the next-generation U11DD responds more closely to real-world requirements. 

Managing Director of NCT David Astill stated “the unveiling of Nottingham’s new electric double -deck bus in the form of the next-generation U11DD is the culmination of three years collaborative work between NCT, Pelican and Yutong. We are all very proud of this head-turning design, and we are delighted to launch this ‘star of the show’ at this year’s Euro Bus Expo. More than that though we are excited to get these buses into service in Nottingham and are confident our customers will be delighted with the ride quality and specification of these futuristic-looking buses.”

Ian Downie, Head of Yutong UK at Pelican explained: “We have delivered to NCT a number of single deck electric vehicles which are a familiar sight in Nottingham and the surrounding area. NCT demonstrated our U11DD and identified areas where they tasked us to investigate. We are proud that this vehicle was redesigned and tested in the UK, and the new generation of the product is exhibited at the NEC today. By working in total partnership with our customers, we can harness our engineering capabilities and bring a new generation of electric double decker for UK passengers”.

Alongside its extensive interior redesign, the new-generation U11DD features a significant increase in battery capacity. 

The vehicle is equipped with a 467kWh battery, compared with the 422kWh capacity of the previous-generation Yutong models in NCT’s fleet. This represents an increase of approximately 10%, providing greater onboard energy capacity to support the demands of daily operation. 

The combination of increased battery capacity, a reconfigured passenger saloon and enhanced accessibility features demonstrate the partners’ shared ambition to develop a vehicle that balances operational performance with passenger comfort and inclusivity. 

From exhibition stand to operational service

The unveiling at Euro Bus Expo represents the culmination of a collaborative development process and the beginning of the next chapter for the U11DD within NCT’s fleet.

With 18 vehicles on order, the first buses will enter service on NCT’s Red 43/44 routes in early 2027. The project demonstrates how close cooperation between operators, distributors and manufacturers can help drive the evolution of electric buses in the UK.