National Express trials electric bus at Stansted Airport

National Express has launched a one-month trial of an electric bus at London Stansted Airport to evaluate the feasibility of battery-electric technology for high-demand passenger transport. The trial utilizes a Mercedes-Benz eCitaro to replace the current diesel-powered shuttle on the long-stay car park route.

Powered by renewable energy provided by the airport, the test will monitor the vehicle’s performance, energy consumption, charging requirements, and reliability. The shuttle currently covers an average of 180 miles daily, providing a real-world assessment of how electric vehicles handle high-frequency service patterns.

National Express Managing Director Rafael Fernandez stated the trial is an important step in understanding sustainable delivery for airport partners. Nick Millar, operations director at London Stansted, noted that the insights gained will help inform future decisions regarding the airport’s net zero carbon ambitions.