BUS passengers across the West Midlands are set for quieter and greener bus journeys thanks to a new fleet of zero emission buses now in service.
It comes as National Express West Midlands rolls out 170 new Alexander Dennis Enviro400 double decker zero emission buses as part of a £95million investment to modernise its fleet, reinforcing the company’s commitment to creating a more sustainable future for public transport.
The arrival of these state-of-the-art buses bring the total number of electric buses in operation to 329, meaning nearly a quarter of National Express West Midlands’ bus fleet is now zero emissions.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “This region is leading the way on greener public transport – with an entire fleet of electric buses being delivered in Coventry and now 170 new zero-emission buses across Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull. That means cleaner air, quieter streets and a more comfortable, reliable service for passengers.”
National Express West Midlands says each electric bus saves an average of 61 tonnes of carbon annually, reducing carbon emissions by almost 20,000 tonnes every year compared to the diesel counterparts.
Antony Goozee, bus strategy and commercial director at National Express West Midlands, said: “Replacing our diesel buses with electric vehicles and modernising our depots are key steps in our journey towards operating a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2030.
“These new clean, green double-decker buses are not just about improving efficiency and reducing our environmental impact, they also deliver a better experience for our passengers with quieter, smoother and more comfortable journeys.”
In addition to the new vehicles, National Express West Midlands has completed a major infrastructure upgrade of its Yardley Wood depot.
Originally built in 1938, the depot has been modernised with the installation of advanced charging infrastructure as part of ongoing efforts to future-proof its operations and ensure long-term sustainability in its services.
The bus operator’s Perry Barr depot is also undergoing an electrification upgrade which is due to complete in the coming weeks.
Supporting this transition is EV fleet and battery storage specialist Zenobē, providing an end-to-end Electric Transport as a Service (ETaaS) solution to National Express West Midlands.
This includes financing the vehicles and the on-board batteries to guarantee their performance while in use and replacing them at the end of their first, usable life.
