Go North East: Voltra Buses
The North East region’s first fully-electric bus fleet, Voltra vehicles have been launched by Go North East in Newcastle and Gateshead as part of the company’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality. Working with transport textile designer Ray Stenning, we created an upholstery scheme that reflected the sustainable ethos, and futuristic aesthetic, of these environmentally friendly buses.
Sustainability meets luxury
Designed to deliver a game-changing experience for passengers, the Voltra vehicles feature a host of onboard features - including free Wi-Fi, wireless and USB charging, and ‘tap-on tap-off’ contactless bankcard ticketing.
To complement these state-of-the-art features, each element of the interior's design was carefully chosen to offer the ultimate in both comfort and style - from the luxury seating by Esteban and digitally printed, grass effect flooring by Altro through to the electric green and blue bespoke moquette by Camira, perfectly complemented by our luxurious vinyl Vita in Clash and Spring.
Martijn Gilbert, managing director at Go North East, comments on the vehicles: “Sustainability is key and our Voltra buses run on electricity sourced with green credentials, but Voltra is far more than just an electric bus fleet as we’ve looked at every detail, working with Pelican Yutong and other suppliers, to maximise the use of technology and innovation to provide a new standard in bus travel including customer comfort, information and ticketing."
Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council and Chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee, said of the eco-friendly credentials of the vehicles: “The introduction of Voltra services will help to improve air quality in the region and supports our commitment to carbon reduction across the board. As outlined in the draft North East Transport Plan, we’re keen to lead the green transport revolution and we’d encourage people to make use of these wonderful new services in the future.”
Learn more about Voltra here.
"Clean, affordable and sustainable next generation travel has arrived.”
Based within a new electric bus micro depot, complete with Yutong charging units and Zenobe power management, at the company’s Gateshead Riverside site, Voltra buses are powered by zero-emission clean sources such as solar, wind and hydro.
The extension of the depot site is capable of accommodating up to 30 electric buses, paving the way for future investment, whilst the buses are fitted with 422kWh water cooled batteries which are capable of a 370km range on a single 3.4 hour charge.
