Major investment to plug bus network into zero-emissions target

£6.6m is to be invested in 74 electric buses and charging infrastructure as part of the response to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s pledge for all of the region’s buses to be zero emission by the end of 2035.

The funding for the region’s first fully electric, zero-emission buses is being supported by a major £37m investment from First Bus.

Dan Norris, West of England Mayor, said: “Cutting-edge, zero-emission buses will help attract more passengers onto the region’s buses and cut carbon.

“Transport on our roads makes up around 40% of all our carbon emissions; we have to hurry and move from petrol and diesel to cleaner solutions. These new buses will help us follow our green plan to decarbonise our transport network.”

The money will also be used to fully electrify First Bus’s Hengrove depot – including installing the power charging and infrastructure to handle the introduction of zero-emission buses.

Doug Claringbold, First West of England Managing Director, added: “This is a real landmark moment for the West of England, as we secure our first electric buses in the region, demonstrating our ongoing commitment towards a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2035.”