204 mid-life vehicles operated by First Bus subsidiaries in Scotland are in the process of receiving retrofit emissions control equipment from Eminox to allow them to achieve Euro VI standards.
The upgrades are being carried out ahead of the full introduction of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) in Scotland. LEZs will come to Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh, and the existing LEZ in Glasgow – which currently applies only to buses and is being introduced in a staged manner – will be enhanced.
The retrofit programme with Eminox will capture Alexander Dennis Enviro300, Volvo B9TL and Wrightbus StreetLite buses. Over 50 installations have already been completed by the supplier.
The work is being partially funded through Transport Scotland’s Bus Emission Abatement Retrofit (BEAR) programme. Over £9.75m is being awarded in 2020/21 to coach and bus operators in Scotland to retrofit 594 vehicles to Euro VI standards.
Eminox has worked with First Bus for over 20 years to implement emissions reduction programmes. Eminox says its systems are a cost-effective means of achieving Euro VI compliance. They are available with telematics capability to provide real-time emissions reduction data and maintenance information.
First Glasgow Engineering Director Gary West says that retrofit of existing buses to achieve Euro VI standards allows First Bus to preserve its investment in existing vehicles. “Thanks to the BEAR programme and Eminox’s technology we have been able to reduce emissions and efficiently manage the upgrade programme across our fleet.”
Adds Eminox UK Sales Manager James Thorpe: “With the forthcoming expansion of LEZs in Scotland, bus operators need to look at how they can achieve compliance. The combination of the BEAR programme’s funding and Eminox’s Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme-approved technology is providing a practical and cost-effective solution to their needs.”
