Total of 53 vehicles now in operation, with potential for more to be acquired subject to funding
With its 53rd Biogas bus entering service, Nottingham City Transport (NCT) now claims to be operating the world’s largest fleet of biogas double-deckers, completing a £16.8m investment in greener transport for the city.
A £4.4m grant from the government’s OLEV Low Emission Bus Scheme, alongside a significant £12.4m investment by NCT, has seen gas fuelling facilities installed at NCT’s main Parliament Street Bus Garage and the first 53 Bio-Gas double-decker buses enter service on routes 6, 10, 24, 25, 36, 44 and 45.
With all 53 Biogas double-deckers from this initial order now in use, NCT claimed over 3,500 tonnes less CO2, 35 tonnes less NOX and 0.75 tonnes less of particulate matter will be emitted each and every year from the NCT fleet.
Bio-gas 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.
With plans for further biogas double-deckers to be ordered (subject to funding) and the £3m funding announcement in February from DEFRA’s Clean Vehicle Technology Fund to convert 185 existing buses to Euro 6 emission standards, NCT said it is on track to reduce emissions by 90% by 2020 and be compliant with the forthcoming Clean Air Zone in the City.
Mark Fowles, NCT Managing Director, commented: “Our Bio-Gas double deck buses are the greenest buses on the road, with significantly lower emissions throughout the entire ‘well to wheel’ process of fuel generation, transportation and use.
“With Nottingham City Transport now operating 53 of these super environmentally friendly buses, we’re delivering cleaner air for Nottingham with the largest fleet of Bio-Gas double deck buses in the world.”
The engines and chassis of the new Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL)-bodied Enviro400CBG City Bio-Gas buses have been developed by Scania.
Mark Oliver, Scania UK Bus & Coach Fleet Sales General Manager, said: “With emissions of carbon dioxide reduced by up to 84%, the introduction of this gas-powered double-decker bus fleet – the world’s largest fleet of its type – represents an important milestone for NCT and Scania as together we look to drive the shift towards a more sustainable transport future.
“We are delighted to be involved in this important environmental programme, and are sure many other public transport operators around the country will now look to follow Nottingham’s lead.”
Frank McGhee, ADL Regional Sales Manager, commented: “Bio-Gas is a key technology in our low emission bus portfolio, particularly suited to the conversion of large fleets of high capacity vehicles in demanding operations. We’re delighted to support NCT’s investment in greener transport, and to help improve passengers’ journeys with our state of the art buses.”
