First Glasgow’s M3 bus service is now a fully electric zero-emission operation after two new electric buses from Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL) and BYD Europe were put into service.
The two BYD ADL Enviro200EV single deck buses are now serving local roads on First Glasgow’s route from Milton to Glasgow city centre. This is the first fully electric bus route in the city since the 1960s.
Children at St Joseph’s Primary School, which is on the route, were the first passengers on the inaugural journey to a launch event attended by Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, and Anna Richardson, city convener for Sustainability & Carbon Reduction at Glasgow City Council.
The introduction of the zero-emission electric buses was made possible by the award of £1.5 million funding from SP Energy Networks’ Green Economy Fund, established by the electricity network operator to support the Scottish Government’s green targets to boost local economic growth, improve air quality in Scottish cities and to expedite a better future for all.
The 10.8-metre buses were built by ADL in Scotland on chassis supplied by BYD from its factory in Komárom, Hungary, providing 36 seats. Batteries will be charged overnight at First Glasgow’s Caledonia depot, where the operator has installed 22 charging points in anticipation of further investment in electric buses.
Andrew Jarvis, managing director of First Glasgow, said: “We are delighted to launch the city’s first conversion of a commercial bus service to fully electric operation. Every customer journey on the route will save around 2kg of CO2 compared with driving on your own in an average car, making bus the best choice in reducing the impact on the planet.”
Frank Mitchell, CEO at SP Energy Networks, added: “Glasgow has ambitious plans to be the UK’s first net-zero carbon city by 2030, but for that to happen, there will be big changes across the city. The introduction of this new electric bus technology which will ultimately improve air quality and noise pollution in the city centre and other communities.”
Colin Robertson, chief executive of ADL added: “Sustainable buses are part of the solution to the climate emergency and at Alexander Dennis we are proud to be leading this transformation together with our partner BYD. Our electric buses are already running at Glasgow Airport and it’s great to see them take to the streets of Scotland’s largest city, providing real benefits for passengers and residents.”
