- Oxford introduces 159 electric buses in a £82.5 million initiative for sustainable public transportation.
- Collaborative funding from government schemes, council, and bus operators fuels the transition.
- Electric buses in operation, charging hubs established, marking a historic shift towards greener urban mobility.
Oxford is extendeding its sustainable public transport network with 159 new electric buses
A fleet of new electric buses has hit the streets of Oxford, extending the city’s sustainable public transport network. Backed by a substantial £82.5 million investment, this initiative brings 159 battery buses into the city.
13 of these electric buses are already in operation, with plans to introduce more over the next six months. The focal point of this green transition is the establishment of two electric charging hubs strategically positioned at the city’s bus depots.
Celebrations unfolded at the Bodleian Library’s Divinity School. A series of talks delved into the implications and nuances of this substantial move towards eco-conscious transit.
Financing this initiative required a collaborative effort.
Oxfordshire County Council secured a noteworthy £32.8 million from the government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme, supplemented by a £6 million direct contribution. Bus operators, recognising the need for a greener transit future, invested a substantial £43.7 million.
Leading the charge in deployment are Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach, contributing 104 and 55 electric buses, respectively. The charging infrastructure, a linchpin of this transition, is a joint effort. Oxford Bus Company, in partnership with Zenobē, has integrated 104 charging points at its Cowley House depot. Concurrently, Stagecoach has incorporated charging points at its Network Oxford site.
Fueling these charging hubs is the robust Oxford Superhub network from EDF Energy, capable of energizing all 159 buses. This infrastructure ensures a daily operational range of up to 200 miles per bus, marking a significant departure from traditional diesel counterparts.
Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Company managing director, commented:
“This is a historic moment in our journey towards transforming our city services to electric.
“Our first tranche of electric buses is now in service and are already starting to improve air quality and make bus travel an even more attractive option for people to travel around Oxford.”
Oxford’s move, further towards a greener, more sustainable urban transit system, stands as a testament to the city’s future. With cities worldwide turning to electrification to combat noise and air pollution, the need for electric bus fleets has never been more prevalent.
