THE world’s first fleet of double-decker hydrogen buses will take to the streets of Aberdeen tomorrow.
The zero-emission vehicles, run by First Bus in a project led by Aberdeen City Council, emits nothing more than water from its exhausts as the fuel is made from just wind and water.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
Why? Free to subscribe, no paywall, daily business news digest.
Plans are also in place for Aberdeen to make its own hydrogen to power the buses, making it an even greener energy source for the local community.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Jenny Laing said: “We are delighted to be launching the world’s first hydrogen double-decker bus fleet onto the streets of Aberdeen.”
“Aberdeen is one of Europe’s pioneering hydrogen cities and through the work of Aberdeen City Council, the city has developed a cluster of hydrogen activity and the new double-decker buses are a great addition to one of the largest and most varied fleets of hydrogen vehicles in Europe.
“They have even more advanced technology which pushes established hydrogen boundaries and will greatly assist us in tackling air pollution in the city.”
The start of the first of the zero emission buses on their service routes also underlines the city’s role as the energy capital of Europe and shows its commitment to the transition of green energy from oil and gas as part of the city’s Net Zero Vision.
Andrew Jarvis, First Bus managing director, said: “Scotland will be home to COP26 later this year and it is fantastic to know that we’ll be setting a stellar example of just what can be achieved with new technology as we welcome leaders from around the world.”
The new £8.3million project has been funded by Aberdeen City Council, the Scottish Government, and the European Union (FCH JU), with an investment of about £500,000 per vehicle.