Seven battery-electric double-deckers entered service this week in Norwich, ushering in the city’s first zero-emissions buses.
They are the first of 70 Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliners which will be rolled out by March 2024 to replace all of First Bus‘s diesel vehicles.
The full electrification of the Roundtree Way depot, which when complete is set to be one of the first examples in the UK outside London, is being supported by a £14.7 million Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas grant, together with a £22.5 million investment from First Bus.
Piers Marlow, Managing Director of First East of England, says: “It’s incredibly exciting, after all the hard work and planning that has gone into this project so far, that the first vehicles are going out onto the roads to serve customers in Norwich.
“These vehicles offer significant environmental benefits, saving around 75 tonnes of CO2 per vehicle per year when compared to a diesel, and will improve the air quality for the city’s residents and visitors as they emit zero tailpipe emissions.
“Importantly, they will also improve the journey experience for our customers, and are fitted with all the modern features, offering a quieter and smoother ride, USB charging points, and good accessibility features. We hope that Norwich’s bus users are as pleased with them as we are.”
Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, says: “The arrival of these buses is an extraordinary boost to our ambitions to run a net-zero transport system in Norfolk and I am excited to see that the first buses are now out in service for people to experience. The support that First Bus has shown for this project demonstrates the excellent working relationship we have with our bus operators here in Norfolk and how working together can help to achieve the very best for our county.”
