The UK government announces £48 million to increase the number of ultra-low emission buses for Britain.
Passengers across the country will benefit from a multi-million pound government investment which will help councils and bus companies put more environmentally-friendly buses on the roads.
Transport Minister Nusrat Ghani has today (28 March 2018) announced a new Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme aimed at cutting emissions and ensuring cleaner and greener journeys.
The programme will see local authorities and operators in England and Wales bid for a share of a £48 million fund, which they can use to buy hundreds of new ultra-low emission buses as well as the infrastructure to support them.
This is part of the government’s commitment through the Industrial Strategy to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the transport sector.
Transport Minister Nusrat Ghani said:
“We are doing more than ever before to reduce greenhouse gas pollution across all modes of transport and we are committed to ensuring nearly all cars and vans are emissions-free at their tailpipes by 2050.”
“In order to achieve this ambitious target, the transport sector is going to have to change dramatically over the next couple of decades – and buses are no exception.”
“We are confident this scheme will encourage councils and operators to invest in these ultra-low emission vehicles - speeding up the full transition to a low emission bus fleet in England and Wales.”
The new scheme follows the success of the previous Low Emission Bus Scheme. This led to 13 organisations receiving more than £30 million between them – enough to put more than 300 new low-emission buses on the road by 2019.
Claire Haigh, Chief Executive of Greener Journeys, said:
“Today’s announcement is a fantastic step in the UK’s fight against air pollution and we’re delighted that the government has recognised the important and vital role that buses play in helping reducing harmful emissions. The cleanest diesel buses emit fewer emissions overall than the cleanest diesel cars, despite being able to carry 20 times more passengers.”
“Buses are also the lifeblood of our communities, connecting families and getting people to work. Today’s announcement sends a positive message that the government is serious about connecting the communities it serves and committed to putting the bus at the heart of the clean air solution.”
The current funding comes as part of a wider £100 million scheme announced in November 2016 to support low-emission buses.
Through our ambitious Industrial Strategy we have committed to publishing a strategy on the pathway to zero emissions road transport which will discuss how the transport sector is going to have to change dramatically to cut down on harmful emissions. The Prime Minister announced in December 2017 that the UK would host a zero emission vehicle Summit in Autumn 2018.
The Industrial Strategy sets out a long term plan to boost the productivity and earning power of people throughout the UK. It sets out how we are building a Britain fit for the future - how we will help businesses create better, higher-paying jobs in every part of the UK with investment in skills, industries and infrastructure.
Also today, I can bring you the news that Kent County Council is testing the OppCharge electric bus for their Fastrack A route service.
From Kent County Council
We are taking part in a 7 week electric bus trial, run by Volvo Bus and their technical partner ABB (a Swedish-Swiss engineering group) as part of their 1 year demonstration programme across the UK.
The electric bus will operate as an additional hourly service, running on the Fastrack A route between Greenhithe, Bluewater and Dartford from 21 March to 9 May.
The bus, a Volvo 7900e, produces no emissions and is driven by electric motors, providing up to 80% lower energy consumption than an equivalent diesel bus.
During the trial, the electric bus will recharge outside Greenhithe train station in under 6 minutes using Innovative OppCharge pantograph high-power charging technology. The OppCharge makes the range of the bus limitless by allowing the bus to charge at convenient locations along the route, charging within 30 seconds.
You can view the timetable and map for the electric bus trial.
Our 7900e demonstrator is back on the road making its next stop in Kent. The 7900e is part of the electromobility range which has been hugely successful in Europe 👌 https://t.co/ICDqSNQbDd pic.twitter.com/jHwFEnwGfJ— Volvo Bus UK (@VolvoBusUK) March 21, 2018
We are into the second week of the #kentelectricbus trial. Have you tried it yet? Don't forget to tweet and let us know what you think! Timetable and further info available at https://t.co/g8cDnfDPec @ArrivaKent @prologisuk @ABBUKEP @VolvoBusUK pic.twitter.com/7CPEZCRu8e— KentElectricBus (@KentElectricBus) March 28, 2018
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