74 Battery-Electric Single-Deck Buses for First in Scotland

The BYD ADL partnership will produce 50 Enviro200EVs for First Glasgow's Scotstoun depot. First Aberdeen will receive 24 Yutong E12 models from Pelican Bus and Coach. The latter will be Yutong's first vehicles for First in Scotland.

First Bus

First has committed £35 million to the production of the 74 zero emission buses and associated infrastructure, with the BYD ADL batch accounting for £19.7 million, and the Yutong deliveries accounting for £8.4 million. Furthermore, £4.8 million will be invested in Scotstoun and £2.1 million in Aberdeen to install rapid charging points. The work is expected to take a year, with the first buses arriving in 2023.

When the delivery is completed, 50% of the First Aberdeen fleet will be zero-emission. Two batches of Wrightbus StreetDeck Hydroliner hydrogen fuel cell-electric double-deckers will operate alongside the Yutongs. In conjunction with extensive work at its Caledonia depot, the 50 BYD ADL buses included in the latest order will bring First's operation in Glasgow to 40% battery-electric.

First Bus Scotland Managing Director Duncan Cameron says the operator is “proud” of the progress it has already made on decarbonisation. 

The latest order represents a further significant step on the group’s quest to have an entirely zero-emission fleet by 2035. It follows hot on the heels of a deal struck with Wrightbus (routeone Magazine) for 193 battery-electric buses for First Bus fleets in England.

Mr Cameron adds that modal shift will allow zero-emission buses to have a greater impact on emissions and air quality.

“These state-of-the-art electric vehicles will provide a more pleasant journey for passengers, and we hope that they will encourage more people living in these cities to leave their cars behind in favour of bus travel.”