Bus manufacturers Alexander Dennis (ADL) has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement of the first £50m phase of a new Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB).
The fund replaces previous funding streams and is designed to encourage the market to implement new ways to finance and deploy zero emission buses.
ScotZEB builds on the Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme, which has enabled bus operators to order a total of 207 electric buses from the BYD ADL partnership over two funding rounds awarded in September 2020 and March 2021.
Deliveries of these locally built zero emission vehicles will commence this autumn, ahead of the COP26 climate change conference, held in Glasgow between 31 October and 12 November 2021.
ScotZEB was unveiled by Transport Minister Graeme Dey at the Bus Decarbonisation Taskforce, which brings together senior leaders from the energy, bus and finance sectors to co-design a pathway to a fully decarbonised bus fleet.
Dey said: “The Scottish Government has come to the table with an evolved offer for zero emission bus funding – building on the experience of previous schemes and designed in a way that maximises opportunities to attract sustainable financing and encourage innovative ways of doing so.”
ADL managing director Paul Davies commented: “The investment in local supply chains, such as our production of electric and hydrogen buses in Falkirk, will underpin Scottish skilled jobs and apprenticeships that are vital for the transition to net zero.”
ADL’s zero emission bus offering for Scotland includes the battery-electric BYD ADL Enviro200EV single deck and BYD ADL Enviro400EV double deck buses, built in partnership with battery technology firm BYD.
ADL also builds the hydrogen fuel cell-electric Enviro400FCEV, that is part of H2.0, its second-generation hydrogen bus platform which should offer a range of up to 300 miles.
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.
