Electric transformation underway at First depot

Work to transform the First Bus depot in Bramley, Leeds with the capacity to operate a fully electric fleet gets underway this week.

Contractors from Envevo have arrived on site and started preparations to install the power charging and infrastructure to handle the arrival of zero-emission buses, with vehicle deliveries expected to start in January.

When the project is completed, 57 buses (a third of the First Bus fleet at Bramley) will be fully electric by March 2024.

Each bus will save around 60 tonnes of carbon emissions a year.

Funding to enable the conversion has been made possible through grants of £12.6m secured by West Yorkshire Combined Authority from the Department for Transport Zebra scheme with support from First Bus and separate investment of £16.4m by the operator.

“This is the beginning of a new future for the depot and our green transport revolution in Leeds” – Simon Carlisle, Engineering Director of First North & West Yorkshire

Simon Carlisle, Engineering Director of First North & West Yorkshire, said: “This is the beginning of a new future for the depot and our green transport revolution in Leeds.

“It is real evidence of our continuing successful partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority in bringing major improvements to bus services and supporting a shared ambition for a net-zero transport system and reducing carbon emissions in the city.”

“This marks a huge step forward towards our goal of introducing more zero-emission buses to West Yorkshire” – Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee Cllr Peter Carlill

Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee Cllr Peter Carlill, visited the depot to be shown how the transformation will take place.

He said: “This marks a huge step forward towards our goal of introducing more zero-emission buses to West Yorkshire, as we work to tackle the climate emergency and improve public transport.

“Having more of these buses on our roads will particularly benefit those areas affected by low air quality, as well as help us to achieve our target of becoming net-zero by 2038 and encouraging more people to use public transport.

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to secure funding for this project, which will see further investment into zero-emission buses and support us in becoming a brighter, greener and better-connected West Yorkshire.”

Heliox Rapid 150 kW chargers are being installed which are designed to fully charge a bus in 2.5 hours.

“Together, we are reshaping the landscape of urban mobility, focused on sustainability and setting new standards for public transportation” – Paul Middlemiss, Senior Business Development Manager at Heliox

Paul Middlemiss, Senior Business Development Manager at Heliox, which is also working at other First Bus depots, added: “ I am immensely proud of our strategic partnership with First Bus. Together, we are reshaping the landscape of urban mobility, focused on sustainability and setting new standards for public transportation.

“This partnership is proof of our commitment to innovation and progress, leaving a lasting positive impact on the communities First Bus serves.”

“The site is a major milestone on the journey to bringing zero-emission vehicles to the local area” – Michael Keenan, UK Operations Director at Envevo

Michael Keenan, UK Operations Director at Envevo, said: “Envevo are excited to be partnering First Bus on the roll out to electrify its fleet. There has been a lot planning involved to date and we look forward to starting the transformation of the Bramley depot in preparation for the electric buses arriving early next year. The site is a major milestone on the journey to bringing zero-emission vehicles to the local area.”