The world's first hydrogen powered buses have taken to the streets of a Scots city- famed around the world for oil.
Aberdeen, renowned as the oil and gas capital of Europe, has taken 15 of the double deckers which emit only water instead of harmful fumes.
Council bosses have been trying to move away from the black gold towards more energy efficient alternatives like hydrogen.
Last July contracts were signed between based First bus and Northern Ireland firm Wrightbus built the 15 double deckers for the city at its Ballymena factory.
It is hoped the new buses will help fight climate change with plans in place for the north-east to start producing its own hydrogen to power the vehicles.
Council leader Jenny Laing welcomed the £8.4million project which is funded by the local authority, the EU and Scottish Government.
She said: “It’s great to see the world’s first hydrogen double decker buses starting on their service routes in Aberdeen.
“The buses are a fantastic asset to the city as an entrepreneurial and technological leader as they have even more advanced technology which pushes established hydrogen boundaries and also greatly assist us in tackling air pollution in the city.”
Wrightbus chairman, Jo Bamford, said it was a proud moment to see the buses in full operation for the first time.
He said: “Everyone at Wrightbus is incredibly proud to see the world’s-first hydrogen double decker bus fleet in full service and carrying passengers around the streets of Aberdeen. It marks a pivotal moment in the city’s commitment to reaching net zero.
“We will see further Wrightbus hydrogen buses in locations across the UK, with fleets due to launch in Birmingham and London later this year. It’s vital that other towns and cities sit up and take note of their example.
"Hydrogen has an important part to play in the decarbonisation of transport and the reduction in CO2 levels that we need to reach to ensure a net zero future.”
Council Co-Leader Councillor Douglas Lumsden said: “The buses show our commitment to achieving net zero and support the global energy transition as a climate positive city while cementing our position as a world leader in the energy sector as an economic driver for the city, region, Scotland and the UK.”
The new 60-seat double-deckers are said to save one kilogram of CO2 with each kilometre they drive and are 'virtually silent' as they drive along.
Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director at First Bus, said: "Today marks a significant milestone in our industry and the way that people choose to travel.
“First Bus serves thousands of customers in Aberdeen and we know that so many of our customers take the bus because they care about our planet and reducing their carbon footprint.
"We're excited to now be able to offer them an even greener and quieter way of getting about the city.”
The UK’s first hydrogen production and bus refuelling station was opened in Aberdeen in 2015 as part of a £19million green transport demonstration project.
