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Electric buses planned for COP26 in Glasgow

By BO LEUNG in London | China Daily Global | Updated: 2021-03-05 09:17

The electric single deck buses from First Bus will be deployed in Glasgow in time for COP26 in November. Photo provided to China Daily

Electric buses produced by a partnership between Chinese manufacturer BYD and British company Alexander Dennis Limited will be deployed in Glasgow in time for the COP26 United Nations' Climate Change Conference in November.

BYD UK and Alexander Dennis Limited, or ADL, jointly announced that they have taken an order for 22 BYD ADL Enviro200EV electric single deck buses from First Bus, one of the United Kingdom's largest bus operators.

The deal is partly funded by the Scottish government and comes just seven months after First Bus announced its commitment to purchase no diesel buses after 2022 and to operate a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035.

Using BYD's battery electric driveline technology, ADL will assemble the buses at its factory in Falkirk.

ADL said this will ensure the investment benefits the local economy in Scotland's central belt.

Frank Thorpe, managing director at BYD UK, said: "Once again we have a high-profile operator in a major British city making a firm commitment to eMobility. With BYD battery technology at the heart of these vehicles, First Bus can look forward to clean, reliable and efficient operation for years to come. Of course, we're thrilled at the prospect of our vehicles taking centre stage during COP26."

The Scottish government has supported First's purchase of these 22 BYD ADL Enviro200EV through the first round of the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme, ADL said.

Paul Davies, ADL president and managing director, said the UN conference will showcase Britain's commitment to fighting climate change.

"First's new electric buses will be a testament to the initiative taken by the transport group to achieve a zero-emission fleet by 2035. Built in Scotland, these electric buses for Glasgow keep Scottish government investment in the country to maximise the benefit to our communities, underpinning jobs and developing skills in clean vehicle technology," Davies said.

The new electric vehicles, which will be 11.6 meters long and seat up to 40 passengers each, will be based at the state-of-the-art First Bus Caledonia depot in Glasgow.

Andrew Jarvis, managing director for First Bus in Scotland, said: "In January last year, we launched the city's first electric buses on a commercial bus route since the 1960s and we are proud that we can now build upon this with another 22 fully electric vehicles, which will replace the oldest buses in our fleet to further improve air quality in the city of Glasgow.

"We have led the way with bus operators in Glasgow as a key partner with Glasgow City Council for the country's first ever Low Emission Zone rollout and we have ambitious plans to help accelerate this process and make up for lost time due to the pandemic."

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