Nottingham City Transport (NCT) has taken a major step towards its goal of transitioning to an all-electric fleet by introducing the first electric buses to the city. The initiative aims to replace all diesel buses with 48 new all-electric single deck buses.
The initial batch of electric buses is already in operation on the Red 50 and Pink 30 lines. A further 12 electric buses are scheduled for delivery in May, with the remaining 24 expected to enter service in the first half of 2025.
The electric buses are supplied by leading bus manufacturer Yutong Bus and Coach, with UK-based Pelican Bus and Coach adding value by customizing the buses to NCT’s specifications at their factory in Yorkshire.
Charging infrastructure for the electric buses is provided and maintained by Zenobē, with the vehicles charged overnight at the Trent Bridge Garage in the Meadows.
The total cost for the electric buses and infrastructure amounts to £32.2 million. Funding for the project, totaling £13.4 million, was provided by the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) Fund, with NCT investing the remaining £18.8 million.
David Astill, NCT Managing Director, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “This is the very start of an exciting new era in the long history of NCT. We are keen to play our part as Nottingham aspires to become a carbon-neutral city. The delivery of our first 24 electric buses marks just the start of a programme that will see our remaining diesel powered buses replaced by electrics as they become due for withdrawal.”
Ian Downie, Head of Yutong UK, praised the collaboration with NCT, saying, “This is a significant step for Nottingham City Transport on their journey to zero emissions. The Nottingham team have challenged us to produce a customer-centric vehicle, and we are extremely proud of what has been achieved.”
