Nottingham has taken delivery of more biogas-fuelled Alexander Dennis Enviro400CBGs on Scania chassis, which are expected to be its last before a move to zero-emission propulsion
Nottingham City Transport (NCT) has taken delivery of the first of its latest and final batch of new Scania Enviro400CBG biogas double-deck buses as part of its latest £7 million investment in 23 new buses.
NCT already operates the world’s largest fleet of biogas double-deckers, with 120 of the type. They operate on biogas which is produced naturally through anaerobic digestion using food waste, farm waste and sewage. The methane emitted from the digestion process is captured, treated and turned into fuel. Its use has enabled NCT to halve its diesel consumption from eight million to four million litres per year.
The buses already run on three quarters of NCT’s double-deck services, and the current fleet has clocked up over 15 million miles in service since first appearing on Nottingham’s streets five years ago in July 2017. The existing buses have prevented over 26,000 tonnes of CO2 being emitted, as well as reducing NOx emissions by 180,000kg, the operator said.
NCT’s Head of Engineering Liam O’Brien commented: “NCT is committed to minimising its impact on the environment and we already operate one of the greenest bus fleets in the country. Our biogas fleet has contributed to much improved air quality in and around Nottingham and this investment in 23 further biogas buses will improve it further.”
Mark Oliver, Sales Director for Bus, Coach and Power Solutions at Scania UK, said: “We are delighted to have provided the chassis and powertrains underpinning the world’s largest fleet of biogas double deck buses. This project is a culmination of seven years of hard work between NCT, ADL and Scania to get these buses on the road and the right infrastructure in place. At Scania, we are committed to help businesses decarbonise their operations, which is why we are proud to see this project come to fruition.”
Lee Salt, Sales Account Manager for the Midlands and Wales at body supplier Alexander Dennis commented: “We are delighted to support Liam and the team at Nottingham City Transport on their journey to delivering more sustainable transport, through delivering the order of 23 Enviro400CBGs. The Enviro400CBG has Alexander Dennis’ ‘City’-style body which brings together elegance and practicality and gives it real street presence, which we hope the people of Nottingham will enjoy for years to come. We look forward to continuing to work with Nottingham City Transport in the future.”