Coventry electric buses

[Tony]

Hi All

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere. I am an out of town enthusiast planning to visit the city soon to look at the electrics. I note that E127 hasnt tracked for sometime. Is there a reason for this? Thanks

Yes, the tracker doesn't work 

[Tony]

E232 has now entered service at Coventry and has just left Birmingham on the X1

[windy miller]

E232 has now entered service at Coventry and has just left Birmingham on the X1

I noticed E239 had been transferred to Coventry in July this year?  Is it still at Coventry or has it returned to Yardley wood?

[Coventrybususer95]

I noticed E239 had been transferred to Coventry in July this year?  Is it still at Coventry or has it returned to Yardley wood?

I believe her and E232 are still here there to cover a emergency school route

[2206]

I believe her and E232 are still here there to cover a emergency school route

The 9S timetable has had an increase to x4 journeys in the PM x3 AM.
So I guess that might be the service.

https://bustimes.org/services/9s-green-lane-coventry

[JPC]

The 9S timetable has had an increase to x4 journeys in the PM x3 AM.
So I guess that might be the service.

https://bustimes.org/services/9s-green-lane-coventry

Strange timetable, the first journeys randomly run short, would this be to detract everyone cramming on to first bus and for the purpose of quickly recycling vehicle for another journey?.
PM trips are rerouted via Kenilworth Rd, the original 1515 journey only tracks at the moment and has correctly ran the new route only once this week.
To think in the nineties WMT ran a network of at least 6 routes from the school to suburban areas where the pupils lived but all now lost in the name of funding removal etc, I guess it's only lucrative to quickly dump all in the City Centre.

[Sandy Lane]

I believe her and E232 are still here there to cover a emergency school route

E232 was on the 13 from Segro Park early this morning but couldn't see it on Bustimes tracking.

[BBS]

Is the X1 slowly making the electrics become unreliable? Just seen 2 electrics break down on the X1 and it seems to be becoming a common occurrence on this route. No hate to electrics before anyone lashes, I prefer them on the X1

[Ingleboro261F]

Is the X1 slowly making the electrics become unreliable? Just seen 2 electrics break down on the X1 and it seems to be becoming a common occurrence on this route. No hate to electrics before anyone lashes, I prefer them on the X1

Tbf the electrics on the X1 are mostly between 40/50mph for most of the journey, maybe that has an effect on the batteries?

[BBS]

Tbf the electrics on the X1 are mostly between 40/50mph for most of the journey, maybe that has an effect on the batteries?

I've started seeing more and more electrics breaking down and driver gives the comment "unable to move the bus", I do agree with you though, considering the X1 does 40 for approximately 11 miles of constant speed 40. Also considering how many journeys these buses will need to do too. I think a decision needs to be made into reverting this route to diesel while Á suitable choice is found. Best for Coventry garage imo

[Tony]

I've started seeing more and more electrics breaking down and driver gives the comment "unable to move the bus", I do agree with you though, considering the X1 does 40 for approximately 11 miles of constant speed 40. Also considering how many journeys these buses will need to do too. I think a decision needs to be made into reverting this route to diesel while Á suitable choice is found. Best for Coventry garage imo

You haven't seen that many, Coventry have about one tenth the number of diesel garages

[Celestial Toymaker]

I've started seeing more and more electrics breaking down and driver gives the comment "unable to move the bus", I do agree with you though, considering the X1 does 40 for approximately 11 miles of constant speed 40. Also considering how many journeys these buses will need to do too. I think a decision needs to be made into reverting this route to diesel while Á suitable choice is found. Best for Coventry garage imo

looks like quite a problem, having used the X1 / 900 5 days a week for over 2 years i always felt it was quite a stretch there arent really enough for the range they are asked to cover and the time it takes to recharge - no i dont know the details its true but i believe they are limited to approx 3 round trips then stop to be charged, so there are always buses on charge (allegedly)
i was always skeptical about the range the technology isnt ready yet, i feel we have not moved on from Milk Trucks (apart from speed)

yes i know im gonna get it in spades from people now, but, i think when the technology is & infrastructure are ready its an option

[BBS]

looks like quite a problem, having used the X1 / 900 5 days a week for over 2 years i always felt it was quite a stretch there arent really enough for the range they are asked to cover and the time it takes to recharge - no i dont know the details its true but i believe they are limited to approx 3 round trips then stop to be charged, so there are always buses on charge (allegedly)
i was always skeptical about the range the technology isnt ready yet, i feel we have not moved on from Milk Trucks (apart from speed)

yes i know im gonna get it in spades from people now, but, i think when the technology is & infrastructure are ready its an option

100% agree with you, and like I said previously I like the E400EVs on the X1. But it's best for the company if they remove these buses of this route for the time being. It's not because I dislike them or enthusiast hate electric buses, but from a passenger perspective it's reducing reliability, considering these buses have to push 40 for 11 miles straight for 4-6 journeys, plus the Meriden hill towards the A45 Bridge, the batteries must be being pushed significantly to the point these need to be changed every few months or so

[BBS]

You haven't seen that many, Coventry have about one tenth the number of diesel garages

Cant Birmingham central regain this route temporarily? I use this route frequently and I can tell you the amount of times these have struggled

[Mike K]

100% agree with you, and like I said previously I like the E400EVs on the X1. But it's best for the company if they remove these buses of this route for the time being. It's not because I dislike them or enthusiast hate electric buses, but from a passenger perspective it's reducing reliability, considering these buses have to push 40 for 11 miles straight for 4-6 journeys, plus the Meriden hill towards the A45 Bridge, the batteries must be being pushed significantly to the point these need to be changed every few months or so

Batteries are hugely expensive - the single most expensive component on electric vehicles - and they aren't changed every few months. I can't speak for buses, but electric cars typically have a battery warranty of around 8 years.

These buses are typically only doing a few round trips on the X1, and aren't branded so will be used on any Coventry route in between. I'd be surprised if a few spells of 40mph stretches over the course of part of a day would have a significantly adverse effect on fairly new buses.