National Express West Midlands has announced plans to invest £150m in 300 new electric zero-emission buses, with plans for the fleet to be delivered by the end of December 2024.
The zero-emission vehicles will be put into service across the West Midlands and align with the bus operator’s wider commitment to running a zero-emission bus fleet in the UK by 2030.
Once put into operation, these buses will mean that more than a third of the Birmingham-based operator’s fleet will be zero-emissions. This will be the highest proportion of any city region in the country, according to the company.
What’s more, every zero-emission vehicle can reportedly save an average of 66 tonnes of carbon per year, meaning this fleet could save a total of nearly 20,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
Tom Stables, CEO of National Express UK and Germany, said: “This huge green investment shows we are now at the tipping point of electric buses.
“The initial government support has got the industry going and we are proud to be a major contributor to the green economy in the West Midlands.
“Replacing our diesel buses with electric means we are on track to meet net zero in a way that is good for business and good for communities.
“These clean, green UK double decker buses are popular with customers and as a result are not only more economical to run but they will boost passenger growth and revenue by getting more people to ditch their cars for the bus; and of course they do their bit to help tackle the climate and clean air emergency.”
The company adds that broader investments in green and clean transport will play a major role in plans to achieve the West Midlands’ 2041 target for a zero-carbon region.
Further investments will reportedly be made in infrastructure for charging and maintenance of the fleet across the operator’s network of depots.
National Express West Midlands also claims the electricity used to power the fleet will be supplied from 100% renewable and zero-carbon sources.
