Three months after Nottingham City Transport (NCT) introduced the first zero-emission electric buses, a further 24 new electric buses will join its fleet in early 2025.
The announcement comes as the first batch of electric buses have reportedly reached 250,000 zero-emission kilometres in the city and carried just over three quarters of a million passengers.
According to NCT, every single-deck bus in its fleet will be electric within the next 18 months. Some 24 of operator’s 62 buses are currently in use, with a further 24 due in early 2025 and a further 14 following in 2026.
The Yutong electric single-deck buses reportedly achieve a 79% saving in well-to-wheel greenhouse gas emissions compared to existing Euro VI diesel buses and are claimed to have already prevented 225.3 tonnes of CO2e being emitted.
This will reportedly reach 3,800 tonnes of CO2e every year when the electric bus project is fully delivered.
The buses are able to do a full day in service on a single overnight charge, with the charging infrastructure delivered, supplied and maintained by Zenobē.
Anthony Carver-Smith, NCT head of marketing and projects, said: “Since introducing our brand-new zero-emission electric buses three months ago in April, they have received high praise from our customers for their high specification, new features and quiet, comfortable ride.
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“We look forward to continuing our partnership with Nottingham City Council, Zenobē and Yutong as we expand the number of electric buses in Nottingham, supporting the city’s ambitious aim to be a carbon neutral city by 2028”.
The total cost of the electric bus project, which includes the cost for the new buses and infrastructure, comes to £30m.
Some £12.3m of that cost is being supported from the UK Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) Fund, secured by Nottingham City Council. The remaining £17.7m is investment by NCT.
Councillor Neghat Khan, Nottingham City Council’s executive member for transport, said: “It’s brilliant to see these new stylish electric buses making such a difference both to passengers and to our air quality and carbon emissions as we strive for a carbon neutral Nottingham.
“Nottingham City Council is proud to work in partnership with our publicly owned bus company – these electric buses are another example of what can be delivered when people are put ahead of profit.”
Achievements and innovations in public transport planning will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations are open now! Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector
