Summary
– Hull City Council approved plans to purchase 40 electric buses and allocate £2 million for charging infrastructure
– The council, alongside other organizations, secured nearly £6 million in funding for electric buses
– The switch to electric buses aims to combat climate change and improve air quality in Hull
– The buses will replace diesel buses on public routes and promote sustainable transportation
– The initiative is part of Hull City Council’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2045
Article
Hull City Council has approved plans to purchase 40 electric buses and allocate £2 million for charging infrastructure to support the vehicles in Hull and the East Riding. The successful bid to the Government’s ZEBRA2 scheme will assist in replacing diesel buses and reducing carbon emissions in the city. The electric buses will provide a cleaner and greener alternative, contributing to improved air quality and combating climate change. The buses will be charged externally at the depot using rechargeable batteries, producing no carbon emissions or nitrogen oxides.
Councillor Mark Ieronimo highlighted the council’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2045 and stated that the introduction of electric buses will have a transformative impact on public transport in Hull. The new vehicles will replace part of the existing diesel fleet on several routes in the city, encouraging more residents and visitors to opt for sustainable transportation options. Both Stagecoach and East Yorkshire Buses are set to benefit from the funding and support provided by the council to introduce electric buses, marking a significant investment in sustainable transport for Hull.
East Yorkshire Buses Managing Director, Ben Gilligan, praised the funding for zero-emission buses in Hull, stating that it will improve the local environment by reducing tailpipe emissions and noise. The shift towards electric buses represents a positive change for bus users and will likely encourage more people to choose sustainable transport modes. Stagecoach East Midlands Managing Director, Matt Cranwell, emphasized the importance of buses in connecting communities to essential services and applauded the council’s commitment to sustainable transport. The investment in new electric buses will advance public transport in Hull towards a cleaner and more environmentally friendly future.
The council’s capital investment in infrastructure costs will act as a catalyst for bus operators to introduce electric buses and support future fleet replacements. The introduction of electric buses is a significant step towards achieving the council’s environmental goals and promoting sustainable transport in the city. The Hull Bus Alliance submission for the ZEBRA grant was successful due to the council’s funding commitment towards infrastructure costs, indicating a collaborative effort between local authorities and bus operators to transition towards cleaner transportation options. The new electric buses will play a key role in reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality in Hull and the East Riding.
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