(31 Aug 2026, 10:30 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]One of them is BT14DKK, the other one was speculated to be BT14DKE but unsure which is which under the private plates.
In the past, in cases like this, I've checked the vehicle info plate for the full chassis or body number, and cross-referenced back using BusListsOnTheWeb.co.uk.
That does require you to actually be able to find the vehicle info plate, mind!
(01 Sep 2026, 9:50 am)Ianthegoon wrote [ -> ]In the past, in cases like this, I've checked the vehicle info plate for the full chassis or body number, and cross-referenced back using BusListsOnTheWeb.co.uk.
That does require you to actually be able to find the vehicle info plate, mind!
They're under B5's rather than 7900's btw.
Unsure why guessing they're different under the hood.
I had a look yesterday.
The chassis is Volvo B5LH, the name of the bodywork is Volvo 7900.
Same goes for the coaches, although they known as Volvo 9700, the chassis is the Volvo B11R etc.
It's just that they marketed as a complete bus by Volvo as they own the coach builder.
Nice acquisition for L&G. Was always a fan of these in the Lothian fleet.
(01 Sep 2026, 10:34 am)Rapidsnap wrote [ -> ]The chassis is Volvo B5L, the name of the bodywork is Volvo 7900.
Same goes for the coaches, although they known as Volvo 9700, the chassis is the Volvo B11R etc.
It's just that they marketed as a complete bus by Volvo as they own the coach builder.
That makes sense.
Guess Buslistonthewebs need to update their category names as they're a bit messed up. Currently got a 7900 chassis which is just the electric examples marked as single hybrids then the single hybrids are in the B5LH category marked as hybrid double deckers.
Side note does anyone know why these were withdrawn from Edinburgh, they seem rather young?
(01 Sep 2026, 4:44 pm)Rapidsnap wrote [ -> ]One caught fire a few month back in Edinburgh. Think some were sold to Inverness Council.
First Bus also had a number of them in Essex and Berkshire, they were withdrawn due to a concerning fire on one of their vehicles in Essex.
First Berkshire Example - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...868404348/
First Essex Example - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...213920306/
The Electric ones in Harrogate were sold as Volvo 7900e, the chassis on these is Volvo BE (Battery Electric) which has been replaced by the BZL range. Only Harrogate, Stagecoach West Scotland got these for normal service, one was sold to Ireland for use on a hotel shuttle at Dublin Airport whilst a handful are on car park duties at Birmingham Airport, there was a demo which has disappeared. Harrogate got rid of their examples, whilst Stagecoach continue to use theirs at Kilmarnock.
Stagecoach Example - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...2220281311
Harrogate Example - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...0610324286
Ironically some of the examples for Lothian passed through Volvo Bus and Coach at Washington for their PDI having arrived via Port of Tyne.
Here is one example, no ID sadly. https://flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/51780793351
Ah interesting, didn't realise they had fire issues.
I heard those Harrogate could only do 25 mile or so before or running out of battery. Absolute junk really, god knows why anyone sane would buy them. Just not realistic at all.
(01 Sep 2026, 10:45 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]I heard those Harrogate could only do 25 mile or so before or running out of battery. Absolute junk really, god knows why anyone sane would buy them. Just not realistic at all.
General comment: Modest battery ranges are not necessarily daft. They were/are designed for a different operating and recharging style, building in frequent (largely automatic?) quick top-ups at the terminal(s) of the route. That means the buses don't have to lug round the weight (and cost) of the large battery packs that are needed to give a day-long range. The smaller batteries are easier to fit into the vehicle, too. Obviously, the strategy relies on an integrated network of recharging facilities at bus stations etc, so it’s a lot less flexible. It also requires schedules to build in a little more layover time than we typically see in the UK, so there is some loss of network productivity. It can also mean the depots don't need such extensive recharging facilities.
It's more like the concepts that are being developed for dual-mode trains (or trams) using batteries to span non-electrified sections, with the batteries recharged when the train is running "under the wires". And some people are talking about an essentially similar style for electrifying HGV operation, with electrified lanes on motorways supplemented by relatively modest battery-powered range for the "last few miles".
As it needs a fully integrated system of infrastructure, buses, technology and services, it is easy to see why the alternative strategy of "big battery pack and overnight depot recharging" is the normal way it is being done to date.
I'm not sure what caused the issue with the Harrogate vehicles, but I've heard that the frequent recharging of the battery (basically everytime it came into Harrogate Bus Station it would hook up) reduced the range of the batteries. Not sure if the Citaro Es are affected on the shorter town routes, I know on other services the electric vehicles go longer between charges with the ADL Enviro 400EVs going either to Ripon or Leeds and back. Along with some Citaro Es going to Leeds via the lengthly 7 route via Wetherby. So hopefully the batteries last longer if the vehicles are rotated from the town routes.
Wondering if they are doing stuff with the L&G Buses at Whitburn Acad
They put an ECO4 LGC out for the 803 which I spotted , looked proper posh.
Then they used a fancy double decker in White (Branded) for the 525 towards South Shields.
(04 Sep 2026, 2:56 pm)EastGatesheadRider wrote [ -> ]Wondering if they are doing stuff with the L&G Buses at Whitburn Acad
They put an ECO4 LGC out for the 803 which I spotted , looked proper posh.
Then they used a fancy double decker in White (Branded) for the 525 towards South Shields.
Do you mean this bus
http://flic.kr/p/2sf97D5
If so thats the Jh Coaches E400MMC branded for the coach travel group
(04 Sep 2026, 3:45 pm)Nerd4321 wrote [ -> ]Do you mean this bus
http://flic.kr/p/2sf97D5
If so thats the Jh Coaches E400MMC branded for the coach travel group
Yes I spotted it at the bus stop outside the Blue Micro Pub but im not sure any School Routes use that stop ?4