Hot on the heels of the recent bus franchising update for St Helens, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has confirmed the detail behind one of its headline promises for St Helens. A brand-new X3 express service will link St Helens town centre directly to Liverpool John Lennon Airport , putting more than 25,000 extra residents within a 60-minute journey of the terminal and over 100,000 within 80 minutes once onward rail and bus connections are counted.
At Busworld Europe 2025, BMC unveiled its next-generation PROCITY+ 12M and 18M models, alongside the compact NEOCITY 8.5M EV. Developed in partnership with KIEPE, these vehicles aim to bring practical, zero-emission solutions to urban networks across Europe and beyond. But are they just more electric buses, or genuinely smarter options for operators? Let’s take a closer look.
Tom Harrison (Bus Ambasasador)
PROCITY+ 12M EV: compact, capable, connected
The PROCITY+ 12M EV is BMC’s answer to city operators seeking a reliable electric bus with fast charging and a decent daily range. Co-developed with KIEPE, the battery and charging systems are compatible with CCS2 plugs and pantographs for flexibility in depots and on-route top-ups.
Key specs
Parameter
Value
Notes
Battery capacity
362–434 kWh
NMC technology, two options
Range
350–450 km
Urban conditions, depends on load and driving style
Charging
2–2.5 h standard DC, 1 h fast charge
20–80% state of charge
Length
12 m
Single-deck urban bus
Power
Not specified
Electric traction system
Highlights
Zero emissions, comfortable interiors, practical charging
Designed for city networks
PROCITY+ 18M EV: longer, heavier, still electric
The 18-metre articulated PROCITY+ EV takes the same core concept and stretches it for high-capacity urban corridors. LFP battery options from 466 kWh to 704 kWh provide longer ranges, while fast charging keeps turnaround times reasonable.
Key specs
Parameter
Value
Notes
Battery capacity
466–704 kWh
LFP technology, multiple options
Range
Varies with load
Urban operation
Charging
3 h standard DC, 1.5 h fast charge
20–80% state of charge
Length
18 m
Articulated bus
Power
Not specified
Electric traction system
Highlights
High-capacity urban transport, practical charging
Suitable for busy corridors
NEOCITY 8.5M EV: small but nimble
The NEOCITY 8.5M EV targets tighter urban streets. Equipped with a TM4 SUMO MD3000 permanent magnet asynchronous motor, it delivers 235 kW of peak power and has an impressively tight turning radius thanks to its independent front axle design.
BMC
Key specs
Parameter
Value
Notes
Battery capacity
198–264 kWh
Extended range for compact urban routes
Power
235 kW max
Permanent magnet asynchronous motor
Length
8.5 m
Small city bus footprint
Turning radius
Smallest in class
Independent front axle
Highlights
High manoeuvrability, electric drive, zero emissions
From Sunday 6th September 2026, St Helens becomes the first place in the Liverpool City Region to see its buses come back under public control and the improvements landing on Day One are by no means insignificant. Two-hourly routes are being upgraded to hourly, evening and weekend timetables are being extended and a brand-new express link to Liverpool John Lennon Airport is being introduced from the off.
Hot on the heels of the recent bus franchising update for St Helens, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has confirmed the detail behind one of its headline promises for St Helens. A brand-new X3 express service will link St Helens town centre directly to Liverpool John Lennon Airport , putting more than 25,000 extra residents within a 60-minute journey of the terminal and over 100,000 within 80 minutes once onward rail and bus connections are counted.
First Bus has made a significant leap in their journey towards sustainability by placing the largest single order of Yutong Electric buses with Pelican Bus and Coach, the UK importer. This major order of 169 electric buses will be delivered to four depot sites: Taunton, Weston-super-Mare, Basildon and Hengrove in Bristol, within the next 16 months. Tom Harrison (Bus Ambassador) Expansion of Zero-Emission Fleet This latest investment is part of First Bus's ambitious plan to operate more than 800 zero-emission vehicles across the UK, supported by EV charging infrastructure at 16 depot sites. The order includes a mix of single and double-decker buses from Yutong's E10, E12, and U11DD models, expanding the company’s current Yutong EV operations in Aberdeen, Leeds and in Wales. Investment and Funding First Bus's investment, valued at £89 million, covers 178 zero-emission buses and supporting infrastructure across four regions. Additional funding of £16 million has been secured t...
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