Aberdeen City Council (ACC) has been awarded funding of £4.5m towards the introduction of 10 further hydrogen fuel cell-electric double-deckers into the city’s fleet.
It has come from the £62m Energy Transition Fund, which was set up to help a green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and to support the energy sector’s transition to a net zero economy. The Fund focuses on North East Scotland.
Says ACC Co-Leader, Cllr Jenny Laing: “These vehicles will increase the world’s first hydrogen double-decker fleet in Aberdeen to 25 and complement one of the largest and most varied fleets of hydrogen vehicles across Europe, which includes cars, vans, road sweepers and waste trucks.
“Aberdeen is one of Europe’s pioneering hydrogen cities and through the work of Aberdeen City Council, we have developed a cluster of hydrogen activity.
“The grant will help us to secure additional demand for hydrogen and support our ongoing work around establishing a Hydrogen Hub with significant large-scale offshore wind resources, supply chain expertise and hydrogen storage capability.”
First Aberdeen placed 15 Wrightbus StreetDeck FCEV hydrogen fuel cell-electric double-deckers into service earlier in 2021 (pictured). Fuel cell manufacturer Ballard recently announced that of a further order for fuel cell modules placed by Wrightbus, some would be use in buses destined for Aberdeen.
Also in Scotland, McGill’s Buses – owner of Xplore Dundee – recently said that it is in “advanced talks with a variety of partners” to bring 12 hydrogen fuel cell-electric buses into its fleet in Dundee. They are expected to enter service within the coming 12 months.
