Destination Net Zero for National Express and Stansted airport

National Express is partnering with Stansted Airport to trial an electric bus with passengers using their airside gate-to-plane operations.

The Cobus 2700 bus can run for up to 8 hours a day carrying a maximum of 88 standing passengers. It is being introduced for a four week period to test how it works operationally and to get feedback from both drivers and passengers.

The trial will gather data to understand how the vehicles work in a real environment and help determine how electric vehicles can be used at Stansted Airport in the future.

Kevin Frazer, South East Operations Director for National Express, explains: ''The switch from diesel to electric vehicles is an adjustment that requires changes in charging infrastructure, maintenance and driving practice.

"In preparation for the trial, we've introduced some new processes and 10 drivers have undergone additional training to familiarise themselves with the vehicles.''

National Express' vision is for its entire UK fleet of vehicles to be net zero by 2035, ahead of the UK target of 2050. This commitment will support Stansted Airport in its 2038 net zero goals.

Steve Mills London Stansted's surface manager said: "London Stansted is delighted to partner with National Express as we continue to explore innovative and energy efficient ways to drive down carbon emissions to underpin our focus on the sustainable and responsible growth at the airport.

"We are proud that operations under our direct control are already carbon neutral, but we are committed to achieving net zero by 2038 so await the results of this trial with great interest."