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Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Huge funding for Zero-Emission Vehicles (Including Buses) for Great Britain and Northern Ireland

This week has seen some big news for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The UK Government have announced an investment of £54 million for projects to create new zero-emission vehicles.

From Gov.UK

£54 million for projects including motorsport technology in car motors, hydrogen fuel cells for buses, and lightweight structures for electric heavy goods vehicles

• projects in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will secure nearly 10,000 jobs and save 45 million tonnes of CO₂

• investment will help drive energy-saving technology across a wide range of vehicles and propel forward a green economy recovery

Innovative green projects creating the next generation of electric trucks and hydrogen-powered buses are set to secure nearly 10,000 UK jobs and save millions of tonnes of carbon emissions, thanks to over £54 million funding announced today (22 March) by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.

The 3 projects in Cwmbran, Warwickshire and Ballymena will receive more than £54 million of funding from UK government and industry and are forecast to secure nearly 10,000 jobs across the UK. They could also save 45 million tonnes of carbon emissions, equal to the total amount of emissions produced by 1.8 million cars over their lifetimes.

Investment in new technologies, including hydrogen fuel cells, will help cement the UK’s position as a global leader in automotive technology and support the country to build back better and greener from the pandemic by helping to meet the UK’s climate goals.

The 3 projects being funded today are:

£31.9 million to develop electric propulsion systems for heavy goods vehicles in Cwmbran, Wales. This technology could be applied in a range of ways, such as giving lorries greater travel range and better energy efficiency for coaches and construction vehicles

£11.3 million to develop and manufacture energy-saving technology from motorsport for use in cars and vans from a centre in Warwickshire

£11.2 million to develop and manufacture low-cost hydrogen fuel cell technology for buses and create a hydrogen centre of excellence with Wrightbus in Ballymena, Northern Ireland

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:

“The UK is leading the world by developing cutting edge technology that will help to tackle climate change and lead to a green, competitive future for our automotive supply chain.”

“These projects will not only help accelerate the wider application of greener technology in lorries and buses, but will also help generate the high-skilled jobs to level up communities across the UK while ensuring we build back greener from the pandemic.”

This funding announcement builds on the recent launch of the government’s national Bus Back Better strategy and the Prime Minister’s 10 Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, both of which aim to accelerate the shift to zero emission vehicles and decarbonise the UK’s transport networks.

Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said:

“As we look to reduce our carbon emissions, strive towards our net-zero goals and level up right across the UK, the whole transport sector will need to embrace new innovative technology such as green hydrogen and these projects are a fantastic example of doing just that.”

“I’m proud to see the UK leading the way in the global transition to zero-emission vehicles. In the next decade, we’ll continue to be at the forefront of their design, manufacture and use as we build back greener.”

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis said:

“Northern Ireland and the local economy thrives on innovation, manufacturing and technological advancements, leading the charge in allowing us to reach our ambitious goal of a net zero future by 2050.”

“With a landmark investment of £11.2 million this will enable Wrightbus to become a centre of excellence for zero-emission technology in the heart of Ballymena.”

“This is outstanding news for the people of Northern Ireland, protecting more than 1,000 skilled jobs and creating more than 3,000 additional jobs over the next 10 years. This will continue to level up our local economy, allowing Wrightbus to continue producing the next generation of world-leading hydrogen buses.”

Secretary of State for Wales, Simon Hart said:

“As we work towards net zero by 2050, South Wales will be a hub of innovation and green technology as we transform the UK economy over the coming years.”

“The investment in electric propulsion systems in Cwmbran will create more than 1,000 skilled jobs. It follows recent UK government backing for the Global Centre of Rail Excellence and to develop a net zero industrial zone across South Wales as we ensure that the region’s proud heritage is continued with the industries of the future.”

CEO at the Advanced Propulsion Centre Ian Constance said:

“We are delighted to have guided the latest investment of more than £54 million in the development and production of innovative powertrains to further accelerate the transition of the automotive sector to a net-zero future. The funding will enable the UK to apply its world-class innovation and experience in electrification of vehicles across the supply chain in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.”

“From fuel cell technology for buses, designed and built in Ballymena, a lightweight electric powertrain for commercial vehicles developed and manufactured in Wales and an integrated motor and energy recovery systems system for cars and vans based on motorsport technology in Warwickshire, today’s announcement secures and creates nearly 10,000 jobs and will cut CO2 emissions equivalent to removing the lifetime emissions of nearly 1.8 million cars.”

By investing in new, greener technology for the UK automotive sector, funding of this kind will help realise the government’s ambition for the UK to end its contribution to climate change by 2050.

The funding is being coordinated by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) which supports the development of low carbon emission technologies for cars, buses, heavy goods vehicles, and vans. These projects will help further the UK’s ongoing efforts to develop a sustainable supply chain for manufacturing electric vehicles by 2026.

About the Advanced Propulsion Centre

The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) collaborates with UK government, the automotive industry and academia to accelerate the industrialisation of technologies, supporting the transition to deliver net-zero emission vehicles.

Since its foundation in 2013, APC has funded 150 low-carbon projects involving 375 partners, working with companies of all sizes, and has helped to create or safeguard over 50,000 jobs in the UK. The technologies developed in these projects are projected to save over 260 million tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of removing the lifetime emissions from 10.2 million cars.

About the winners

Find further information about the projects which will be funded through this round of investment.

Projects to receive funding from the latest Advanced Propulsion Centre funding competition APC17 include:

• Next Gen FCEV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) [Ballymena, Northern Ireland] - The UK is a global leader in bus design and manufacturing. Wrightbus in Ballymena is developing hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicle single and double-deck buses. This programme will enable higher volume production at lower cost and create a centre of excellence for zero emissions hydrogen technology to upskill and share knowledge in the UK.

• EPIC (Electric Powertrain Integration for Heavy Commercial Vehicles) [Cwmbran, Wales] – The next generation of zero emissions heavy commercial vehicles need lightweight ‘smart’ powertrains to manage extreme levels of electrical power. The EPIC project led by Meritor in Cwmbran integrates the key elements of motor, inverter, gearbox, differential and brakes in a single lightweight system for vehicles up to 44 tonnes and includes coaches, off-highway and construction vehicles. The funding would also go towards the construction of a new technology centre in Scotland.

• e-MOTIF (e-axle with MOT or Inverter and Flywheel) [Southam, Warwickshire, England] – Weight saving and reducing energy consumption are key to winning in motor racing. The e-MOTIF project led by Shield Manufacturing Technologies in Warwickshire combines lightweight energy recovery technology from motorsport with a new motor and inverter for cars and vans to cut energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The e-MOTIF project is scalable and cost effective for global manufacturers and will lead to three new manufacturing centres opening across the UK.

Quotes from the winners

Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Meritor, John Bennett, said:

“With this award, our consortium will develop a game-changing electric powertrain for heavy-duty 4x2 and 6x2 vehicles up to 44 tonnes. This technology will provide commercial vehicle OEMs with the optimal solution to meet EU 2025 CO2 reduction targets, in addition to a host of other product benefits including greater efficiency, reduced weight, longer-range capability, and far greater application flexibility when compared to existing systems.”

Vice President, Truck, Europe, China, Japan and ASEAN Meritor, Ken Hogan, said:

“This grant will put Meritor’s highly-skilled Welsh-based engineering team at the forefront of advanced commercial vehicle technologies, positioning South East Wales as the premier location for companies developing clean transportation and technologies. Meritor’s existing air disc brake facility in Cwmbran will house a new European eMobility Centre of Excellence with expanded laboratory and R&D facilities.”

Managing Director of the Shield Group, Chris Shield, said:

“Shield Manufacturing Technologies is delighted to be working with APC and our partners to accelerate the development and production readiness of cutting-edge engineered technologies. The evolving market opportunity for this family of power-dense electric drive modules will generate significant numbers of skilled roles with associated investment across Shield’s facilities in the Midlands and opportunities for the region’s supplier base.”

Executive Chairman of Wrightbus, Jo Bamford, said:

“The funding will allow us to realise our ambitions of creating a centre of excellence for zero-emission technology in Ballymena, enabling us to produce the next generation of world-leading hydrogen buses at a higher volume and a lower cost than ever before. It will safeguard more than 1,000 skilled jobs and will allow us to create more than 3,000 additional jobs over the next 10 years, giving a significant boost to the wider economy in Northern Ireland.”

Now let’s take a look at the news release from Ryse Hydrogen, which are part of the Bamford Bus Company (Wrightbus).

From Ryse Hydrogen

Transport is the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK, accounting for approximately 34 per cent, and so the country is taking decisive action to change it.

As the government accelerates the much needed development of zero-emission buses and trucks, three projects across the UK designed to radically reduce emissions from the road transport sector have each been awarded a share of £54m of new Government funding. This includes our colleagues at Wrightbus in Northern Ireland, manufacturers of the world-first zero-emission Hydrogen double-decker bus.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, who announced the funding, said the projects in Cwmbran, Warwickshire, and Ballymena (Wrightbus), had the potential to cut emissions by 45 million tonnes whilst creating nearly 10,000 jobs.

“The UK is leading the world by developing cutting edge technology that will help to tackle climate change and lead to a green, competitive future for our automotive supply chain,” Kwarteng said. “These projects will not only help accelerate the wider application of greener technology in lorries and buses, but will also help generate the high-skilled jobs to level up communities across the UK while ensuring we build back greener from the pandemic.”

The new funding, which has been coordinated by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), includes the construction of a new technology centre in Scotland. The funding will also include a £31.9m award to the Electric Powertrain Integration for Heavy Commercial Vehicles (EPIC) project, led by South Wales-based Meritor.

A further £11.3m has been awarded to the e-MOTIF (e-axle with MOT or Inverter and Flywheel) project in Warwickshire, being led by Shield Manufacturing Technologies, and aims to combine lightweight energy recovery technology from motorsport, with a new motor and inverter for cars and vans, so as to cut energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The government said the e-MOTIF project is cost effective and scalable for global manufacturers, and will hopefully lead to three new UK manufacturing centres opening.

Wrightbus, in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, have had £11.2m awarded to the Next Gen FCEV (Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle), where we’re working to develop hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicle single and double-deck buses. This funding will enable higher volume production at lower cost, and create a centre of excellence for zero-emissions hydrogen technology, to ‘upskill’ and share knowledge across the UK.

Transport Minister Rachel Maclean welcomed the news, and stressed how critical new technologies are in order for the UK to meet its climate and economic goals.

“As we look to reduce our carbon emissions, strive towards our net-zero goals and level up right across the UK, the whole transport sector will need to embrace new innovative technology such as green hydrogen, and these projects are a fantastic example of doing just that,” Maclean said. “I’m proud to see the UK leading the way in the global transition to zero-emission vehicles. In the next decade, we’ll continue to be at the forefront of their design, manufacture and use, as we build back greener.”

Jo Bamford, founder and Chairman of British Hydrogen company Ryse Hydrogen, and owner and Executive Chairman of Wrightbus commented on the funding announcement:

“The funding will allow us to realise our ambitions of creating a centre of excellence for zero-emission technology in Ballymena, enabling us to produce the next generation of world-leading hydrogen buses at a higher volume and a lower cost than ever before.

It will safeguard more than 1,000 skilled jobs and will allow us to create more than 3,000 additional jobs over the next 10 years, giving a significant boost to the wider economy in Northern Ireland.”

Transport Scotland has announced awards for new zero-emission vehicles for bus services in Scotland.

From Transport Scotland

The Scottish Government has awarded £40.5 million through a second round of the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme (SULEBS).

This is the largest investment yet through the SULEBS programme, and will support operators in replacing 215 old diesel buses with new battery-electric models. This is a substantial increase on the 57 buses supported through the first round and to help meet demand, the intended budget for this second round has been increased by £15 million.

With 172 of the buses to be built in Falkirk, this investment supports skilled, green manufacturing jobs in Scotland, as well as reducing transport emissions.

The Scottish Government has also published a new information and ideas pack which shows how the bus and finance sectors are innovating to speed up the transition to net-zero. This is the first report from The Bus Decarbonisation Taskforce, which brings together senior leaders from the energy, bus and finance sectors to co-design a pathway to a fully decarbonised bus fleet. The information pack identifies new routes for financing green buses that can build on government support and bring about faster fleet transformation.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said:

“The Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme continues to help drive a green recovery, responding to the global climate emergency and improving air quality.

“Ensuring a just and fair transition to a net-zero economy is a truly national endeavour and I’m delighted that the Scottish Government’s investment is matched by private investment from bus operators and the finance sector. 172 of these new buses will be manufactured in Falkirk – benefitting the Scottish bus industry and wider supply chain.

“More journeys are made by bus compared to any other public transport mode and a vibrant bus industry can provide the solutions to complex challenges in our society. By helping operators to invest in a greener fleet we can support our green recovery – and keep more people moving with fewer carbon emissions and better air quality as a result.

“Our bus decarbonisation work, both through SULEBS and the Taskforce, is part of a wider package of support for our bus industry – including long-term funding of over £500 million for bus priority infrastructure. We’re also providing support of up to £191.3 to help maintain essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic and help keep Scotland moving.”

Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis President & Managing Director said: “The Scottish Government deserves huge credit for leading by example to support bus operator’s commitment to invest in cleaner, greener buses and we are delighted that bids for 172 of our electric buses have been successful.

“These zero emission buses will be built at our factory in Falkirk and therefore ensure this Scottish Government investment is made domestically, allowing the benefits to be felt across our communities whilst helping to underpin skilled jobs. We very much look forward to working with the successful operators to finalise terms and get these vehicles into service at pace.”

Paul White, Director at CPT Scotland said: “This announcement highlights the commitment of Scotland’s bus sector to decarbonisation. The £40.5m awarded by Government will be met with investment of over £80m from bus companies to fund these 215 vehicles.

“CPT will continue to work with Scottish Government to create an operating environment that prioritises sustainable and active travel, frees buses from congestion and maximises the benefits of this investment.”

Dave Moxham – Deputy General Secretary for the STUC and member of the Just Transition Commission said: “I am delighted to see that all of the ADL buses will be manufactured in Falkirk. This is positive news for the workers who through their union have been working hard to achieve this.

“There is no doubt that we need to build on our existing domestic manufacture if we are to ensure that Scotland can be at the forefront of a net-zero industrial revolution.

“This announcement is an example of the kind of interventions we need if we are to embark on a real green recovery.”

Bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis posted a news release about the funding for new zero-emission buses they will build in partnership with BYD.

From Alexander Dennis

Alexander Dennis Limited (“ADL”), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (“NFI”), one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, today welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement of the award of £40.5 million in funding to bus operators through a second round of the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme.

The initiative helps bus companies invest in electric vehicles and associated infrastructure, supporting a green recovery out of the coronavirus pandemic, improving air quality and advancing Scotland’s ambitions for a net-zero economy.

Funding has been awarded to operators following a competitive bidding process. Successful proposals for 172 zero-emission buses were made with ADL as the intended supplier and the company will now work with the awardees to finalise contracts for these electric buses, which will be built by ADL in Falkirk in collaboration with BYD, the company’s partner for electric buses in the UK and Ireland.

This follows an earlier first round of funding awarded in September 2020, which has enabled 35 BYD ADL electric buses to be firmly ordered by bus operators.

ADL President & Managing Director, Paul Davies commented: “The Scottish Government deserves huge credit for leading by example to support bus operator’s commitment to invest in cleaner, greener buses and we are delighted that bids for 172 of our electric buses have been successful.

“These zero emission buses will be built at our factory in Falkirk and therefore ensure this Scottish Government investment is made domestically, allowing the benefits to be felt across our communities whilst helping to underpin skilled jobs. We very much look forward to working with the successful operators to finalise terms and get these vehicles into service at pace.”

Next, we take a look at the news releases from First Group and Stagecoach Group.

From First Group

First Bus are delighted to announce that over £59m will be invested in new fully electric and zero emission vehicles for the city of Glasgow. These new buses are scheduled to be introduced to the Glasgow city bus network by December 2022, thanks to a successful bid in Transport Scotland’s latest round of Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus (SULEB) funding.

The successful bid awards First Glasgow, the city’s largest bus operator, £24.3m, and First Bus has committed to spend a further £35.6m. The investment will bring a further 126 electric single and double-decker vehicles to the city, adding to the 22 new electric buses that are scheduled to hit the streets of Glasgow before the city hosts the UN’s annual climate change conference, COP26, this November. The addition of 126 new electric vehicles will take the total number of electric vehicles operating in Glasgow to 150, nearly 20% of the total First Glasgow fleet.

Last year First Bus announced its commitment to operating a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035, as well as pledging not to purchase any new diesel buses after December 2022. This commitment goes above and beyond current regulations, solidifying First Bus’s position as a leader in the transition to a low-carbon future.

Janette Bell, First Bus’s Managing Director said, “As leaders in sustainable mobility, we are fully aligned with the Government’s ambitions for a net-zero carbon transport system, including zero-emission bus fleets. We have already committed to achieving this by 2035. We will continue to ensure that our progress doesn’t just exceed national guidelines, but that it also puts the expectations of our customers front and centre.”

The SULEB scheme funding aims to help bus operators bridge the gap between the cost of diesel and zero emission fleets. The ambitious collaboration with Transport Scotland will not only help First Glasgow replace 126 of the oldest buses in its fleet with new zero emission buses; it will also help transform their Caledonia bus depot on the south side of the city centre. Already the UK’s largest depot, the investment will see it converted into one of the UK’s largest electric fleet charging stations, with the potential for over 150 vehicles to be recharged at a time.

First Glasgow demonstrates local collaboration is essential to deliver green objectives

Working closely with Local Authority partners is another key focus for First Bus. First Glasgow has demonstrated a strong track record in this area, collaborating effectively with Glasgow City Council for several years. Sustained investment over the last three years in new vehicles, retrofit of existing vehicles and the new plans to introduce even more electric buses mean that First Glasgow is well on the way to achieving the city council’s Low Emission Zone standard by the end of 2022.

Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director for First Glasgow, said, “We have led the way with bus operators in Glasgow as a key partner of Glasgow City Council for the country’s first ever Low Emission Zone rollout and this latest announcement helps us to deliver shared objectives and make up lost time due to the pandemic.

“Across Scotland our collaborative working has been central to accelerating the transition to zero emissions, both in Glasgow with the investment for our electric fleet and in Aberdeen where our sister company introduced the world’s first double-decker hydrogen buses earlier this year. Our ambitious approach to transitioning our fleet for our customers and communities will continue to be the driving force for our investment and united approach with local stakeholders.”

The 126 new electric buses announced today follows the news in February that First Glasgow’s 22 new electric buses have entered production as part of a £9m investment from the first round of the SULEB scheme.

Further demonstrating First Bus’s commitment to the communities it serves, the 126 new vehicles for Glasgow will be built by Scottish bus builder Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) with their partner BYD. Their Scottish base in Falkirk will play a significant role in delivering these vehicles over the course of the next two years.

Andrew Jarvis added, “We are delighted to have been awarded this funding, which will allow us to rapidly ramp up our plans to deliver more zero emission vehicles to the city of Glasgow. Cleaner air and lower carbon emissions are vitally important for all of us, and we are committed to continuing to improve air quality in the communities that we serve. This is a significant step forward on our journey to operating a zero-emission fleet by 2035.”

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said:

“With this significant order of new electric buses, First Bus is showing a welcome commitment to helping meet Scotland’s world leading climate change targets.

“It’s a real success story that these buses will be built by ADL in Falkirk – supporting jobs in bus manufacturing and benefiting the wider economy before they enter service for communities across Glasgow.”

Paul Davies, ADL President & Managing Director, said, “This is a very large investment by First Bus in new electric buses and is yet another step on their journey to achieve a zero-emission fleet by 2035, and we look forward to working closely with them to get these new buses onto the streets of Glasgow at pace.

These zero emission buses will be built at our factory in Falkirk and it is great news for Scotland that this investment is being recycled into the local economy, allowing the benefits to be felt across our communities whilst helping to underpin skilled jobs.”

From Stagecoach Group

• Funding made available through Scottish Government’s Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme

22 double-deckers and 24 single-decker electric buses for Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Perth

• Major investment totalling £11m in Aberdeen, £6m in Kilmarnock and £4.4m in Perth

• Buses all built in Scotland by leading bus manufacturer ADL with Perth and Aberdeen infrastructure provided by SSE

• Boost for Scotland’s world-leading bus manufacturing sector helping protect and grow jobs

Stagecoach has today (22 March 2021) announced that it will be introducing a further 46 new fully electric buses representing an investment of £21.4m across Scotland as part of its drive to improve air quality and support the Scottish Government’s environmental targets.

The order for new electric buses follows today’s announcement by Scottish Government of additional funding being awarded through a second round of the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme. The initiative helps bus companies invest in electric vehicles and associated infrastructure to support a green recovery out of the coronavirus pandemic, improve air quality and advance Scotland’s ambitions for a net-zero economy.

Scottish Government has set a legally binding target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2045. Transport has a critical role to play in the economy reaching net zero, as rising car use has resulted in a rise in carbon emissions from the sector. Stagecoach has recently announced that it is targeting a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2035.

Funding has been awarded to bus operators following a competitive bidding process with Scottish Government investing £8.9m from its grant scheme in the new Stagecoach buses.

The new electric bus order is made up of:

• 22 electric double-decker ADL E400 buses for use in Aberdeen City

• 15 electric single-decker ADL E200 buses for use on Kilmarnock Town Services 3, 6 and 7

• 9 electric single-decker ADL E200 single-deckers for use in Perth on bus routes 1 and 2

The investment provides a boost for Scotland’s world-leading bus manufacturing sector, helping to protect and grow jobs in Scotland. The new buses will all be built in Falkirk by leading independent global bus manufacturer ADL in partnership with BYD, the company’s partner for electric buses in the UK and Ireland.

The award from Scottish Government also includes funding for electric infrastructure for depots. Stagecoach is partnering with Scottish-headquartered low carbon energy company SSE to deliver the new electrical infrastructure needed in Aberdeen and Perth depots.

Sam Greer, Regional Director for Stagecoach in Scotland, said: “Sustainable public transport is critical to the future of our planet: decarbonising local journeys, reducing road congestion, improving air quality and tackling climate change. We welcome today’s announcement by Scottish Government of additional funding to support the roll out of 46 new electric buses in Scotland.

“This major investment will also provide a boost for Scotland’s world-leading bus manufacturing sector, helping to protect and grow jobs in Scotland. As major investment is made in zero and low emission buses, it also enables us to build further on developing in skills and training for our engineering teams to maintain the new greener fleet as we transition to new zero emission technologies.

“As Scotland gears up to host the COP 26 climate change summit in November, it’s a crucial time for us all to think about how we can help deliver a greener recovery from Covid-19. Major investment in new zero-emission buses also needs to be matched by better road infrastructure and more bus priority measures to help encourage people to make the switch from car to sustainable public transport.”

Over the past decade, Stagecoach has invested more than £1 billion in 7,000 new greener vehicles – more than any other operator in the UK – including electric, hybrid electric and hydrogen and bio-fuel technologies.

Paul Davies, ADL President & Managing Director, said: “This substantial order of new electric buses continues Stagecoach’s track record of strong investment in cleaner buses. We look forward to working closely with Stagecoach to get these new buses onto the roads of Aberdeen, Perth and Kilmarnock at pace.

“These zero emission buses will be built at our factory in Falkirk and it is great news for Scotland that this investment is being recycled into the local economy, allowing the benefits to be felt across our communities whilst helping to underpin skilled jobs.”

Kevin Welstead EV Sector for SSE Enterprise said: “SSE Enterprise is delighted to partner with Stagecoach to help them deliver their planned bus electrification programme across Scotland. Ensuring that we provide this and the next generation with clean and green public transport is a priority for us – especially with COP26 coming to Glasgow this year, of which we are proud to be a major sponsor.”

Independent research by the Centre for Economics and Business Research* (Cebr) published last year shows that Stagecoach delivers cleaner communities and annually saves £12.4million in emissions impact costs, which could power 9,800 homes for a year.

Without Stagecoach bus services, there would be an annual increase of 190,000 tonnes of CO2 through passengers using alternative transport, mainly cars. Some £343 million in potential congestion-related savings are also delivered by Stagecoach through a reduction of 1.22 billion miles of traffic.

You can view the list of makes and models of zero-emission buses selected by bus operators for the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme here.

Over the last few months, I’ve written numerous articles on the rollout of zero-emission buses for Great Britain and the Island of Ireland:

List of London Bus Routes Currently Served Using Electric Buses (as of March 2021)

TfL Updates on Double-Deck Hydrogen Rollout for London Bus Route 7

Alexander Dennis Reveals Double-Deck Hydrogen Bus Project, and New Shorter Enviro400EV Variant - Wrightbus Teams up with Voith for Electrical Drive System

British Bus Operator First Bus Confirmed to Trial Arrival’s Single-Deck Electric Bus

Ireland’s NTA reveals tender process for 800 pure double-deck electric buses

Ireland’s National Transport Authority unveils eye-catching ADL’s Enviro400ER City buses as they order 180 more

Northern Ireland Invests £66 million for 145 Zero & Low Emission Buses

It’s good to see huge investment is being made by various Governments to speed up the process of zero-emission buses for services in Great Britain and the Island of Ireland.

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