Winners announced – ScotZEB 2 funding

A bus industry consortium is to deliver 252 new zero-emission buses and coaches to Scotland’s roads, backed by Scottish Government’s Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB 2).

Eight operators are to be supported by £41.7 million grant funding, which is to be led by electric vehicle fleet specialist Zenobē, to deliver the buses along with a Scotland-wide charging network for use by all buses, coaches and HGVs.

The grant funding from the ScotZEB 2 Fund will be provided to Zenobē Energy who will administer the funds as appropriate amongst consortium members to develop a Scotland-wide charging network for use by all buses, coaches and HGVs. The successful project is comprised of Ember, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Premier Coaches, McGills Buses, Stagecoach, Hairy Haggis Tours, Maynes Coaches, and D&E Coaches. They will work together to deliver 252 new, zero-emission buses for Scotland.

The consortium has also committed to opening up their new charging infrastructure to third party fleet operators, creating a Scotland-wide rapid-charging network for use by buses, coaches and HGVs.

One of the major beneficiaries of the funding is Ember, which is to roll out 100 electric coaches in Scotland using its share of the funding by 2026. Pierce Glennie, Co-Founder, Ember said: “The vehicles will operate from a network of ultra-fast charging hubs with 600kW chargers capable of fully-charging a coach in under an hour.”

The investment completes the second and final round of subsidy from the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB 2). It builds upon £113 million the Scottish Government has already invested in zero-emission buses and supporting infrastructure.

“The consortium brings together family-owned coach companies, well established bus operators, an innovative electric bus start-up and the NHS” – Steven Meersman, Founder and Director, Zenobē

Steven Meersman, Founder and Director, Zenobē, said: “Through our ScotZEB subsidised and Zenobē financed projects, we will support a variety of operators across Scotland to make the switch from diesel to electric. The consortium brings together family-owned coach companies, well established bus operators, an innovative electric bus start-up and the NHS, showing how private capital can help public funding go the extra mile. Zenobē uses unique financing solutions and operational support to demonstrate how we can accelerate the decarbonisation of transport across the nation, together.”

“We are proud to be one of the first Scottish coach operators making the transition to zero-emission coaching” – Kevin Mayne, Operations Director, Maynes Coaches

Kevin Mayne, Operations Director, Maynes Coaches, said: “We are proud to be one of the first Scottish coach operators making the transition to zero-emission coaching. It has been a huge step for us as a family company, but also a great thing for the coach industry as a whole to see the inclusion of coaches in the ScotZEB fund: it shows an understanding of the important role our industry plays in reducing the number of cars on the road. We look forward to working closely with the Scottish Government, our consortium group, and Zenobē, to lead the way in the coach industry’s path to Net Zero.”

“Across Scotland, thanks to the welcome news of this latest funding round, we will soon run around 160 electric buses and 70% of our depots will benefit from complementary infrastructure” – Alex Hornby, Group Managing Director, McGill’s Bus Group

Alex Hornby, Group Managing Director, McGill’s Bus Group, said: “McGill’s Bus Group are proud to have led the charge in investment in electric bus fleets and have already saved 11,270 tonnes of carbon, thanks to the investment of £55 million that has been made so far.

“Across Scotland, thanks to the welcome news of this latest funding round, we will soon run around 160 electric buses and 70% of our depots will benefit from complementary infrastructure. Alongside Inverclyde and Renfrewshire which now largely boast a frontline, electric bus fleet, locations like Falkirk and Stirling will now be able to experience the benefits. Our flourishing bus network in Dundee, already fully LEZ compliant, will also see nearly half of its frontline fleet become zero emission. Buses have the power to supercharge Scotland in its quest to become net zero. Here at McGill’s Bus Group, we will do all we can to ensure the potential of the sector is realised.”

“Only by leveraging each other’s strengths will we be able to achieve our challenging net zero targets” – Sam Greer, Chief Operating Officer, Stagecoach

Sam Greer, Chief Operating Officer, Stagecoach, said: “We are excited to be working with Zenobē in this innovative partnership to speed up transport decarbonisation and deliver our shared climate ambitions. Only by leveraging each other’s strengths will we be able to achieve our challenging net zero targets and build a world-class decarbonised supply chain. We are grateful for the support of the Scottish Government announced today and look forward to working with our partners to bring new greener, cleaner vehicles to towns and cities across Scotland.”

“Moving away from fossil fuels requires a change of mindset on how everyone operates” – Policy lead for the Road Haulage Association, Chris Ashley

Policy lead for the Road Haulage Association, Chris Ashley, said: “Today’s announcement of additional investment via ScotZEB 2 in the charging network for buses, coaches and HGVs marks another significant step forward as the commercial vehicle sector seeks to reduce its carbon emissions.

“Moving away from fossil fuels requires a change of mindset on how everyone operates. The access to charging infrastructure via ScotZEB 2 is a welcome initiative to help commercial vehicle operators plan the introduction of zero emission vehicles into their fleets.”

“All bus and coach operators, including those operating in smaller towns and communities, will benefit from both the novel approach to financing and the Scotland-wide charging network that will be delivered” – First Minister, John Swinney

First Minister, John Swinney, said: “Every £1 from the Scottish Government will leverage £3.20 of private sector investment – demonstrating that our shared decarbonisation goals can be met by working together when it comes to removing carbon emissions from our bus and coach fleets.

“All bus and coach operators, including those operating in smaller towns and communities, will benefit from both the novel approach to financing and the Scotland-wide charging network that will be delivered, helping other modes of transport make the switch to electric vehicles too.”