Second phase of ScotZEB launched

Coaches can now take advantage of the funding

The Scottish Government has launched the second phase of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB), with up to £58 million available.

Introduced in 2021, ScotZEB replaced previous funding streams as a means to encourage the bus industry to find new and innovative ways to finance zero-emission buses and infrastructure. The second phase expands eligibility to coaches and community transport providers, to accelerate the transition to net zero.

In ScotZEB 1, there were 276 zero-emission buses delivered, bringing the total number in Scotland to nearly 600. By asking operators, financiers, manufacturers and others to work together, the second phase of ScotZEB seeks to rapidly accelerate the adoption of zero-emission buses.

The second round of ScotZEB funding was launched by Minister for Transport, Kevin Stewart at an Alexander Dennis facility.

“As a proud member of the Bus Decarbonisation Taskforce, we have stepped up to the mark and delivered on the ask to create a small electric bus with our Enviro100EV” – Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis President and Managing Director

Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis President and Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to host the Scottish Government’s launch of ScotZEB 2 right here in our Larbert facility, which we are currently upgrading to make it a manufacturing centre of excellence for our zero-emission buses.

“As a proud member of the Bus Decarbonisation Taskforce, we have stepped up to the mark and delivered on the ask to create a small electric bus with our Enviro100EV.

“We are committed to supporting the just transition of decarbonising transport and funding from ScotZEB will be a welcome support for the jobs the industry offers in our communities as it benefits us and other Scottish suppliers.”

“Launching the second phase of the ScotZEB Challenge Fund honours this Government’s pledge to drive forward a fully decarbonised future for Scotland’s buses” – Minister for Transport, Kevin Stewart

Minister for Transport, Kevin Stewart, said: “The Scottish Government has already invested £113 million towards 548 zero-emission buses and supporting infrastructure, and I’m really pleased to now be making a further £58 million available.

“Launching the second phase of the ScotZEB Challenge Fund honours this Government’s pledge to drive forward a fully decarbonised future for Scotland’s buses; supporting operators of all sizes, including community transport, school bus and coach operators to transform their vehicles to zero-emissions and install infrastructure which can be shared with other fleets to help them make the switch too.

“We all have a part to play in tackling the global climate emergency. Bus is currently one of the most climate friendly transport choices the public can make, and I want to keep it that way for communities across all of Scotland.

“I will continue to challenge the bus and finance sectors to deliver excellence for Scotland and by launching ScotZEB 2, I hope to see truly transformational, collaborative change in the bus market towards a zero-emission future.”

“This further round of ScotZEB will help support operator investment in Scotland, which is already leading the charge to Net Zero across the UK” – Paul White, Director of the Confederation of Passenger Transport in Scotland

Paul White, Director of the Confederation of Passenger Transport in Scotland, said: “Bus plays a pivotal role in meeting net zero targets. It is sustainable, flexible, accessible and as the fleet further transitions to zero-emissions, its green credentials only grow.

“This further round of ScotZEB will help support operator investment in Scotland, which is already leading the charge to Net Zero across the UK.

“We welcome the scheme and, in particular, its inclusion of coach, which plays a crucial role for many residents and visitors and supports our ‘green tourism’ ambitions.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cookies

This site uses some unobtrusive cookies to store information on your computer, these are in place to ensure that you receive the best possible experience when using the Bus & Coach Buyer website.