First Bus has announced a commitment to operating a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035 and pledged not to purchase any new diesel buses after December 2022.
The new batch of zero emission fleet begins production at ADL’s Scottish base in Falkirk.
First Glasgow’s 22 new electric buses, which will be 11.6m long and seat up to 40 passengers each, will be based at the Caledonia depot in the city.
This follows an earlier project which saw a pair of BYD ADL Enviro200EV introduced at the start of 2020, giving the company valuable experience in the operation of electric buses.
The 22 new electric vehicles as well as the relevant infrastructure will be completed at the First Glasgow Caledonia depot and ready to go on the Glasgow network before COP26.
First Glasgow is investing over £5m alongside an award for £4million as part of Transport Scotland’s new funding stream, the Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme.
Scottish Power Energy Networks will also be providing over £300,000 in contributions to the project from its Green Economy Fund, which will go toward the electrical infrastructure needed to charge the vehicles.
Andrew Jarvis, managing director for First Glasgow, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this funding to help close the gap in price between a diesel and an electric bus.”