FirstGroup invests in new ‘low carbon’ buses

UK and US transport operator FirstGroup has placed an order worth US$102 million (£70 million) for 305 new vehicles, 87 per cent of which will be Department for Transport approved ‘low carbon certified’. First Bus estimates this will save 4 million kg of CO2 per year. The 2016/17 investment will bring the company’s fleet of low carbon certified vehicles to around 1,000, believed to be one of the largest in the UK, saving in total an estimated 14.5 million kg of CO2 annually.
May 4, 2016 Read time: 2 mins

UK and US transport operator FirstGroup has placed an order worth US$102 million (£70 million) for 305 new vehicles, 87 per cent of which will be Department for Transport approved ‘low carbon certified’. First Bus estimates this will save 4 million kg of CO2 per year. The 2016/17 investment will bring the company’s fleet of low carbon certified vehicles to around 1,000, believed to be one of the largest in the UK, saving in total an estimated 14.5 million kg of CO2 annually.

All 305 new buses will be fitted with the latest Euro VI engines, which are claimed to produce 95 per cent fewer oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions compared to buses with Euro V engines and as a result will help improve air quality in the towns and cities in which First Bus operates.  

With 98 per cent of the order to be manufactured in the UK, the fleet investment by First Bus provides a big boost to British manufacturing helping to support hundreds of UK jobs.  Scottish firm ADL will manufacture 204 vehicles, while Northern Ireland’s Wrightbus has secured an order for 91 buses, and Volvo has won a contract to build 10 coach chassis in Sweden, with the bodies manufactured by ADL.

Related Content

  • Bright shiny green future: Asecap Sustainability Forum
    August 30, 2023
    Knowing your company’s carbon footprint is one thing, but the real issue is understanding and reporting to investors Scope 3 emissions. David Arminas reports from the 2nd Asecap Sustainability Forum in Vienna, Austria
    Read More
  • Magtec provides electric motor for Greenwich bin lorry trial
    June 29, 2018
    UK technology firm Magtec has installed an electric motor into a refuse collection vehicle in a bid to improve air quality in the borough of Greenwich. The upgrade is expected to extend the vehicle’s life by 14 years and save up to £300,000 compared to a Euro 5 or diesel model. Greenwich council’s prototype electric refuse collection vehicle (eRCV) is now being trialled alongside its fleet to make a case for repowering heavy commercial vehicles.
    Read More
  • Lima Expresa leverages AI in Peru traffic management
    September 22, 2023
    Vinci Highways subsidiary uses Lanternn by Valerann to detect incidents
    Read More
  • Hybrid and EVs growth impact on traction motors predicted by Frost & Sullivan
    May 17, 2012
    Electrification in vehicles is a key trend in the automotive industry. The increase in electric components within vehicles is boosting the market for traction motors and Frost & Sullivan says it anticipates the European traction motor market to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 50 per cent for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs). Permanent magnet motors are expected to dominate the market by virtue of their performance and efficiency. However, the growing concern over t
    Read More

Highlighted Content