I will be Driving an all electric Double Decker bus across the U.S.

[@Phylonyous]

Excited to follow LIVE

[@Eric_Cleckler]

Very excited for the opportunity you have. You have truly become the biggest ambassador between motor coach manufacturers and the consumers. I’m not in the industry, but I guess I’m a bus nut because I find them fascinating.

[@MrBusdriver958]

Have and be safe James they couldn't have a better driver to do this trip!

[@AndreChavesDamasio]

That is awesome! Happy to be able to follow along through your vlog!

[@danmccarville6285]

Hi James, I will be watching with great interest> I have been driving VanHools this summer. Dan

[@brad_Ca]

I'm excited for you, I'm looking forward to the videos. Safe travels. 🙏

[@GDJason]

That's great, what an awesome opportunity! I was excited this morning when I looked out my office window and saw a bright white coach that said Peoria Charter on the side. I don't think I've ever seen one in my city!

[@travisspiva]

HOW EXCITING!!! I cannot wait to follow along!!!!

[@actemple3282]

Great I so much love to get to meet you in Florida 😊

[@stevec7793]

Enjoy!!!!!!!! Hope you all have a safe journey and make many wonderful memories!!!!!!

[@raminbaghirov9998]

I'm so excited to see your trip. This is gonna be amazing. Please share the whole trip with us. Thanks.

[@rajshah3576]

Fantastic opportunity interesting to hear your feedback

[@philstone5195]

Have a great time. I look forward to your livestream and recap!

[@carolinecleaveley]

Wow!! what an adventure. have a great time.

[@shadow211e]

That's amazing, super jealous!! congrats!

[@richcibelli1445]

Wow, what a wondeful opportunity for you and Peoria. Be safe and best wishes on your journey...

[@_Jin_Kim_]

It’s very exciting news James! Looking forward to seeing the video !

[@marcopimentel615]

Awesome. 🎊 that’s super. Best wishes to you and your family. Great opportunity 🎉

[@jasonminier6782]

That's awesome! I can't wait to watch about it! Congratulations!

[@UNDERTAKER2621]

ROAD TRIP🎉🎉 can't wait. I wish I was driving with you

[@royrcampbelljr8923]

James, enjoy the trip. As an occasional operator of an all-electric transit bus, I can say that the experience is little different from that of operating the diesel or compressed natural gas buses in our fleet. Having 100% torque immediately available, as electric motors do, training your foot to be gentle on the accelerator pedal on take-off will be your biggest challenge. Good luck, safe travels, and you and your family and friends enjoy the scenery of the southern United States.

[@vincenthprice2260]

Interesting James I will be following the whole trip on the all new electric bus from beginning to end

[@rifkyfahrana1141]

What a wonderful partnership you and ABC are. Looking forward for it James. I would want to see how would it survive the US highways.

[@bobo4664]

Oh, hey! You’ll start your trip right down the road from me. :3

[@docs2469]

Nice, Love the Vidz of the Buses you drive. Hello from Brisbane, Australia 💯😁

[@docs2469]

And i just Watched that Later Video you did earlier with the Test Drive of that Electric Bus, so Glad i watched it before seeing this Latest Vid 🙂

[@saulfernandez999]

That's awesome 👌 hope I see you out here driving I'm in a semi truck though

[@richardlindor1960]

James have a wonderful trip! I can't wait to see all of your updates about your experience. I just wish your trip had a stop in New York lol!! Lots of luck and enjoy! :)

[@tonyvlip]

Wow that's great you get to take your family... And you are becoming the Elvis of motor coach drivers-- #1 entertainer

[@drixxonk]

LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO This almost sounds too good to be true. Shoutout to ABC for not only choosing the right guy, but also funding this trip properly. Today is a good day. I'm very very very much looking forward to this trip and hearing your thoughts :)

[@MotorcoachWorld]

Thank you so much. And I totally love your first words in this comment. LETS GOOOOOO indeed

[@brandonhurley9982]

Have a great trip! Looking forward to your videos!

[@tdvandy2]

Looks like a fun trip and a learning experience! Wish I could go with!!

[@BusDriverLife]

I’m looking forward to seeing this!

[@BusDriverLife]

Your trip actually starts pretty close to Sacramento..just saying!!

[@MotorcoachWorld]

@@BusDriverLife Maybe we can meet up for dinner?

[@BusDriverLife]

@@MotorcoachWorld Yes I’m down. I’m free on July 25th! Also the evening of the 24th. Just let me know what works for you..and I’d love to see the bus in person if possible 😆

[@chaseb4988]

I’m actually very interested in this simply because I’m a Truck Driver and obviously in some parts of the country there is a push for electric vehicles, so seeing that this is an all electric coach which falls under commercial vehicles it really peaks my curiosity. P.S you gained another subscriber too.

[@Halloweye]

Wow! That looks like a really good bus. I think driving it will be a very relaxing and very comfortable route.

[@donalddodson7365]

Fantastic! Great to make a family trip, too. (We did that picking up a new Braun ambulance in Ohio, driving to San Diego.)

[@edwardmckenzie5207]

Enjoy the trip with Dennis. Hope you tell us about how it handled in high winds and hot temperatures.

[@Buslover360]

You are living the dream!!!!!

[@MotorcoachWorld]

I will never take this for granted. I feel so honored for all these opportunities.

[@michaelquillen2679]

Cool! Also great that the company let you bring your family! Good to hear that the company wants to hear your pros and cons and is not afraid of you posting those thoughts. Sounds like a good company that wants to make the experience good for passenger/customers in the future and will address the shortfalls (can't be greats unless you fix that which isn't great). Look forward to your summary/review video.

[@BitcoinfunforBoomers]

Tesla owner here who's made several cross country trips. I'm sure the bus company has mapped things out in advance and done their homework. Electric buses are probably better suited for stop and go city driving or airport shuttles with known routes and dedicated chargers. Passengers will appreciate the quite and lack of diesel smell. Either way, I'm excited to follow along and see how it works out!

[@crabbymilton390]

I don’t disagree. However Diesel engines of today are hardly the loud and smoking units of decades ago. Even those new locomotives that AMTRAK bought. All you really hear is the train itself speeding by. But come on now we’re bus fans here. A little smoke and engine noise never hurt...

[@MotorcoachWorld]

@@crabbymilton390 honestly I like it when the bus talks back to me. But yes for the most part they're super quiet today even with diesel

[@MotorcoachWorld]

Yes they have mapped a lot of suggested routes but in the end we picked around of our own with elements of their route built-in. I spent the last two days looking up charging stations at my bus will actually fit in and I'll be honest there does not seem to be many. So I will do my best to squeeze in wherever I can. If you happen to come charge your Tesla and find that a giant double-decker taking up all the stalls knock on the door and say hi lol 🤣.

[@alanmay7929]

There is no smell in diesel bus today lol!!!! Most long your bus have very well insulated and engine at the rear significantly silent

[@silversides2011]

James, good luck on your pioneering journey. I'm anxious to see how the range varies as you navigate various types of roads. the route that is planned appears to be mainly flat. That should give you maximum range per charge but let's see.

[@DarnellFernandes]

I can't wait to see these videos on both channels.

[@ZackP1820]

Congratulations James, looking forward to seeing this content as it comes and your perspective on the all Electric Vanhool. I am yet to drive an electric bus but I am open minded, I believe the company I work for are due to receive one soon for our Route service work.

[@kevinanderson5658]

Can't wait to watch you vlogs Some European electric operaters have hubs at depots with super fast charge Also UK Darlington Cummins engine helping development of all euro emissions engines and new hydrogen fuel cell system and hydrogen fuel coaches and buses Teesside be one first in world where hydrogen fuel infrastructure So might be of interest

[@georgeleejr1488]

Love your videos and I would rather have you post the videos of your trip; sounds fantastic to me and yourself have a long way to go; and take your family as well and other people from the company and to me that's a heck of a journey to go!!! Keep you in my prayers for being safe and keeping everyone comfortable!!

[@txharddrive]

This is exciting for sure!

[@GalenlevyPhoto]

Wow! It will be an adventure for you and ur family. Hopefully it will go smoothly. Hopefully the range will improve in the future buses

[@QingxiangJia]

I am so happy for your kids. When I was kid I had this dream of touring with dad driving a big bus, which btw, never happened.

[@MotorcoachWorld]

I'm sorry to hear. It's cool they your dad drove buses though.

[@QingxiangJia]

@@MotorcoachWorld actually he doesn't drive at all. That was my childhood unfulfilled wish 🙂

[@geraldmiller6679]

Congratulations on being chosen for this journey. Since I have made this trip numerous times on just about every road in my Motorhome I have a few concerns about your trip. My son has driven his Tesla from Dallas to San Diego with the charging stations but that range is much more than the bus. There are sections of that trip where there will be a long way between nothing! I assume they have all this figured but you are going to have to leave the main road to go into some small towns to recharge several times. Looking forward to seeing how this is handled. Now that I am 83 I take 4 days to drive my Prevost from Nashville to Indio, CA. That is an average of 500 miles per day. That is about all I want anymore. Part of getting old I guess! Travel safe and have a lot of fun. I-40 is pretty rough though most of New Mexico. At least in the truck lane.

[@HankSnowgrandslamfishing]

James this is so cool. I'm really looking forward to seeing this series. I'm also hoping to meet you when you get to ABC at the end of your trip. Thanks for sharing.

[@MotorcoachWorld]

Hey that would be great Hank!

[@anthonygrant8982]

Awesome

[@jrzx1]

Congrats and eagerly awaiting more footage of your trip. How weather, elevation, running A/C-Heater, brake regen and passenger/luggage weight will affect the range between recharge stop plus the amount of time spent at each charging station. As others have mentioned this will put a spot light on the electric infrastructure for larger commercial vehicles. Will you need adapters or extenders for the connector to reach the bus? etc. Good luck on your trip.

[@SuperWorldRailFanProductions]

You're the best James!

[@MotorcoachWorld]

Well thank you very much!

[@AMStationEngineer]

While experiencing the cross-country trip will be the '№1 cool thing' about this event, the '№2 cool thing' is gonna be the "mandatory tchotchke/promotional trinkets" which the manufacturer and ABC Corporate will distribute. Guinness Book of World Records candidate?? Glad to see you're back, James!

[@tonyfoulkes9289]

Just stumbled on this video, certainly now has my interest. Even though I don't drive I use buses on both short and long trips in New Zealand. This might prove to operations Dept that electric will travel long distances. We don't have the distances like USA. If they do 700km on a charge that would cover longest distance in one go. Look forward to your videos, comments and outcome. Kaipara, New Zealand.

[@johnjkiwi7818]

That is wonderful news James. I wish you all the best for your epic and groundbreaking journey and I hope it goes well for you. I believe that large electric commercial vehicle battery technology is still in its infancy and batteries are now being developed giving trucks and buses over 800 kilometres (500miles) of range. Once again all the best and I look forward to following your trip across the USA.

[@fauzirahman3285]

Looking forward to this! I take it there'll be some time to charge to full at every stop.

[@MotorcoachWorld]

Yeah we'll probably spend 2 to 5 hours recharging every day depending on how much we drain the battery. But that's okay I'm kind of looking forward to enjoying the scenery as we cross the US

[@johnsonmgb]

This will be interesting to see, looking forward to seeing how it goes. One thing that sticks out to me is that you have to charge up every 250 miles, if I heard that right. that'll slow down the trip but then also give everyon time to get out and strech. I suppose not much diffence then driving with a co-driver. can't wait to see how this one goes.

[@josephheston9238]

The one pro to driving an electric bus is that it is faster and have better acceleration despite being heavier than the conventional diesel/automatic transmission drivetrain.

[@chrisjstratton]

Congrats James! That's pretty exciting! When does this happen! I would love to come meet you at a charging stop! It looks like you start coming down California HiWay 5 then across through Bakersfield! I'd love to come see you and the bus!

[@loswilko]

This trip will certainly show a lack of EV infrastructure aimed at busses and lorries. This has the potential to highlight a potential alternative and a viable choice in the future for operators. Best of luck James and i hope you don't encounter too many headaches along the way.

[@timbo389]

This sounds like an awesome adventure. We’ll be delighted to follow along!

[@brewmasuisui2216]

For a second I thought your secret reveal was your new hair style jk dude definitely a trip of a life time. I drive a all electric Gillig BRT at work and it’s a blast instant torque superior regenerative breaking and no noise pollution. I think it’s the future of our industry.

[@MotorcoachWorld]

Lol 😂 yeah I was wondering if anyone would comment on the new hair. It's a experiment my wife and I and doing. Lol the Mongolian look.

[@tonyvlip]

Yeah the look rocks!

[@I_am_Allan]

This will be fun!

[@firebuffandrewphotography]

Love the hair style

[@MotorcoachWorld]

Thank you 😅 it's an experiment I'm doing 😂

[@jean-claudebonillo1535]

Wow so it begins. Cool journey keep us posted. Thanks.

[@JREwing78]

I'm curious to see if the charger infrastructure is up to the task of charging this beast, and if the electric coach can sustain > 200kW charging for more than brief periods. In theory a 350kW charger should replenish the battery charge in reasonable time (~ 2 hours), but if the bus or charger can't sustain that kind of charging load, those recharging stops are going to take a while.

[@qwerty112311]

It would take probably 3+ on a 350kW. I’ve spent a whole lot of time at Tesla superchargers and the nature of li-ion batteries is that charging slows as the battery fills up. It would maybe sustain 300kW for an hour and then drop off on a straight line down to 50-100kW over the next 90-120 minutes. At like 500 miles, I can see how this would be practical if there were fast chargers at hotels, but 200 miles is city bus performance.

[@blairparker725]

That's amazing.and please give us all of the details

[@dth2brny121]

Nice stuff there. Seeing as this Van Hool double-decker is electric I am sure all on board will feel the immediate torque while in comfort. The one added benefit associated with anything with wheels that's electric is always gonna be a rocket, regardless of vehicle size and weight!

[@michaeldennis1728]

Awesome and safe travels.

[@hughm5996]

You’ll be fine,it has a go pedal and a don’t go pedal same as everything else,regenerative braking just like a compression engine brake. Tesla owners are prima donna’s so treat them with disdain and you’ll have a wonderful time. Enjoy it and have fun.

[@damon2364]

This is going to be awesome. Can't wait. I hope to catch a glimps as you drive by, but I couldn't tell if it was the I-5 or the 99 from the map shot you gave. Have fun. Damon

[@MotorcoachWorld]

I5 to I 10

[@damon2364]

@@MotorcoachWorld seems you will be recharging near me given the 200-250 mile range. Harris Ranch or Kettleman. Harris Ranch might be a little tight, Kettleman looks a like a little more room. Kettleman City is a busy area but is large vehicle frendly. I have stopped there many times with a charter group. If I knew for sure which one, it would be nice to meet face to face. But, this a public post so I understand if you do not want to give out that info. Safe travels. Damon

[@chrisdawson4896]

Fantastic looking trip James, following from the UK

[@yuri_on_youtube]

You went from driving and providing input on the Tourriders and now an EV bus. I'd be interested to see what the pre-trips are like on an EV bus as well as having to navigate recharging about a dozen times? You're truly a consummate operator!

[@MaltaMcMurchy]

It sounds exciting! I am looking forward to following along through your content. Happy travels!

[@philipsamuels526]

Wow so cool, I look forward to hearing your adventure. It will be a game changer for the transportation industry. Hopefully for the better. Safe travel and thank you for doing this event. It will answer some questions I have about any electric vehicle. What is the charging time? how many miles do you get from a single charge? Will it be as advertised? Looking forward to your trip. Wait is this a science experiment? Maybe you should call Myth Busters as well. Maybe not.

[@titanxing3514]

Will be a good experience for you James . James , I am wonder does New TDX25 Electric Coach will come with dual tire tag axle like MageBus newer TD925 does

[@MotorcoachWorld]

Oh Interesting. I'll have to get a close look when I get there

[@romancornell7124]

This coach is a standard 8 wheel TDX25E

[@titanxing3514]

@@romancornell7124 Thank you

[@Qrail]

California? Newark? You will be in the back yard of the Pacific Bus Museum !!! And you will be close (sort of) to Sacramento. Give us a heads up on when this will be happening. I can drive my PHEV and meet you.

[@MillionaireMindframe101]

Hey James just saw your bud driving on the 241 to 91 E interchange in Orange County and honked! Looks like an awesome bus, immediately caught my attention. Looked up your KZbin video and you're doing a great job! Looking forward to seeing more videos about your bus, please do a interior/exterior tour!!!!

[@wroscel]

So glad you will get to do this, and document it all for us. Aside from fully-electric for propulsion, there are a number of companies offering EV-like battery capacity for auxiliary systems so that buses can be cooled, etc. during pre-trip and awaiting passengers, without idling - especially important when picking up groups curbside in urban areas. What is your thought on that sort of system? Should it become universal, do you see other issues that need to be mitigated?

[@titusl2025]

What a unique adventure, I'm so jealous! I'm curious to know how quick your charging times are at each station since that can vary widely. 🚌🔌

[@derekpullum]

That's Awesome👍🏽According to the map. You're coming right through where I live here in Alabama. I would Love❤️ to see the Electric Bus come through here.

[@MotorcoachWorld]

Stay tuned to the live stream. I'm not sure where I am stopping every night but If I happen to go by were you are you will find out on the live streams.

[@RSanjay-tk2sj]

This is so exciting! I also really enjoyed all of your recent videos about the Mercedes buses. I was wondering: does the hourly limit for drivers still apply even for long trips like this?

[@MotorcoachWorld]

Yes absolutely. We still have to abide by the hours of service because the bus is registered under dot as a commercial passenger carrying vehicle. Good question. Thanks for the comment.

[@RSanjay-tk2sj]

@@MotorcoachWorld Also, do you have an idea on if the Mercedes TourRider buses will be used for schedules? Or only charters?

[@MotorcoachWorld]

@@RSanjay-tk2sj probably a bit of both

[@JLR-z8u]

So exciting! Y’all have fun and be safe! 🤠

[@olderbutfitter-dl6hk]

This is so awesome! I can't wait to follow your livestream.

[@actemple3282]

Gorgeous bus Good luck in trip😊

[@JohnJackson-l3x]

Too cool. BTW, are you going to have any meet and greets? You will be coming through my state and (if I can make it) I would love to see this bus and meet you personally. And yes, the bus came first.

[@francissager3133]

It'll be interesting to see. It'll be a good showcase of the all electric technology VanHool currently has, and the current state of the infrastructure to support the trip. I hope it leads to attention that will bring further investment in and build out of the infrastructure, and VanHool gets data that will help improve the range of the vehicle.

[@andrewhill400]

I’ve been driving electric buses in London and Coventry since 2019 and they are fantastic bits of kit and much easier to drive and less tiring than the older diesel buses. It will be interesting to see what the electric coaches are like.

[@mafarnz]

I hope you are planning on going off the interstate along the way, onto some of the 2 lane highways. Another thing I would personally like to see is maybe a comparison to of doing this trip in the summer and then do the same trip again in the winter. My experience with driving all electric transit buses is that the battery wears down a LOT faster in the winter time when you have to heat the interior, air conditioning doesn’t seem to have too much of an effect on the battery.

[@MotorcoachWorld]

As long as there are charging stations.😊

[@johnwright3710]

I will keep my comments politic free. Enjoy the "Voyage", and keep in mind the experience is the point of the trip, good bad or ugly.

[@MotorcoachWorld]

Well said John! Thank you!

[@BiBlackCar1]

Good luck man wish you the best in driving a double decker across country. Them double decker driver cockpit is way too tighten uncomfortable unless if they have upgraded them in the past 2 years not worried about the electric part even though that's a short battery life.

[@SteveGT551]

I would love to see it running. I love all types of engines.

[@neilrwilliams218]

That certainly sounds interesting. I regularly chaperone a coach that runs a school service in the UK and suspect the drivetrain will be ideal for that sort of use in the future, especially in cities. It would be interesting to include information comparing it to the diesel version such as weight, range, power and torque. Electric cars generally have just one forward gear, so it'll be good to hear if that's also true or if the weight means it needs more. The last Van Hool double decker i was on had to tow a trailer for luggage capacity, so can it tow and does it have the same capability as the diesel? Good luck.

[@ABCCompanies]

Underfloor luggage capacity on the TDX25 is 279 cu ft and for the TDX25E it is 167 cu ft.

[@ericschwab7331]

This sounds like an awesome adventure. Have fun

[@matthewb9824]

This is going to be EPIC, James! I’m green with envy. Quick question - I remember from your visit to ABC Coaches that you were shown solar panels. Does this bus have them on the roof to provide some charge to the batteries while driving in the daytime? Good luck with the trip - here’s hoping you don’t run out of juice in the middle of nowhere!!!

[@MotorcoachWorld]

You know I'm not sure if this bus will have the solar mats installed. I'll definitely check when I get there. Thanks for the comment.😊

[@ABCCompanies]

Yes, this vehicle is equipped with solar panels. Solar panel energy is distributed to low voltage batteries.

[@DJBiv788]

I’ve driven an electric school bus. I’ve been interested to see how coach buses do on a normal long trip.

[@askarel666]

This is great news ! I think you're gonna enjoy all those newton-meters while driving. Any chances you might end up at Busworld in Brussels in October ?

[@MotorcoachWorld]

Not sure. No one has invited me.

[@ThePinkPanth3r]

All the charge stops won't be bad because you can spend time with your kids.

[@MotorcoachWorld]

Yes very true. My family will also get to enjoy some of the stops and not spend the entire trip on the bus.

[@lovedfriend2020]

WOW so cool! I cant wait. BTW that at 4:51 image was a Rivian truck and not a Tesla :) Elon hasnt open the his Super Charger network to non teslas WELL only two others I think.,

[@MotorcoachWorld]

Yeah I knew that. But I figured I would be running into more Tesla's than Rivian's 😊😅

[@craigslistbuslistingsofnor6494]

Love this! Take me along :) Consider portable genrator powered charging stations/trailers.