The first of 50 new Alexander Dennis electric buses have been delivered to First Glasgow’s Scotstoun depot.
The new vehicles feature lithium iron phosphate batteries that provide a range of over 370 kilometres on a single charge, which takes approximately three hours in the depot.
By replacing diesel models, their operation is expected to save over 3,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.
To accommodate this new fleet, work has also been completed at Glasgow’s Scotstoun depot to install the required electrification infrastructure, including 27 dual-headed rapid charging points.
Duncan Cameron, Managing Director at First Bus Scotland, said:The arrival of these buses marks the latest in our series of steps to decarbonise our operations as we aim to be emission-free by 2035.
We are incredibly proud to bring more sustainable travel to Glasgow, and I’m sure it will encourage even more people to leave their cars behind in favour of environmentally conscious bus travel that will help to reduce congestion and improve air quality in our city.
With this delivery, First Glasgow is now operating over 200 emission-free vehicles.
This accomplishment has been supported by Transport Scotland’s Scottish Zero Emission Bus (ScotZEB) funding.
Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop MSP said:I was delighted to visit the First Bus depot as one of my first engagements in my new post and see these new electric buses for myself.
The bus is currently one of the most climate-friendly transport choices the public can make, and the Scottish Government is committed to decarbonising the full fleet as we encourage more people to leave their cars at home and choose more sustainable ways to travel.
Additional electric vehicles are also set to join the First Bus fleet elsewhere in Scotland this summer, with 24 new electric vehicles scheduled to be delivered to First Aberdeen.
