ADL – BYD e-buses awarded a 35 units contract in Scotland

The Scottish Government has awarded £7.4 million through the first round of the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme. 41 ultra-low emission buses will be supported across five bids. 35 of the buses will be built in Scotland by ADL, through the joint venture with Chinese group BYD.

The Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme helps bus operators invest in ultra-low emission vehicles and infrastructure, supporting a green recovery out of the COVID-19 crisis, furthering our ambitions for a net-zero economy and improving air quality through a greener fleet.

ADL – BYD e-buses awarded a contract in Scotland

Three of the winning proposals in the framework of the £7.4 million scheme were made with ADL as the intended supplier and the company will now work with successful bidders First Glasgow, Xplore Dundee and McGill’s Buses to finalise contracts for these 35 zero-emission buses.

ADL will manufacture the buses locally in Scotland, supporting skilled jobs and apprenticeships as well as its wider Scottish supply chain which will also benefit from Lothian Buses’ separate confirmation of its intent to continue with an order originally placed in 2019 for the purchase of 98 Euro 6 double deck buses which ADL will build in Falkirk on Volvo chassis.

Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis President & Managing Director said: “As Britain’s leading manufacturer of clean buses, we welcome the Scottish Government’s award of funding for ultra-low emission buses, which will contribute to Scotland’s green recovery. This is a much appreciated first step in stimulating urgently needed demand for new buses and we look forward to building 35 electric buses here in Scotland. Delivering cleaner air and reducing carbon emissions, they will set a great example for further investment in a better future for all. At Alexander Dennis, we have the capacity, skilled team and commitment to build the many more low, ultra low and zero emission buses which our nation needs now.”

10 million pounds for bus priority measures

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “The Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme is providing economic stimulus to help drive a green recovery, responding to the climate emergency whilst improving air quality. I’m pleased that 35 of these new buses will be manufactured in Scotland, helping to support jobs and our bus manufacturing sector. 366 million bus journeys were made in 2019, which demonstrates the value of our bus sector and supply chain in keeping Scotland moving. It also reinforces the key role that buses play every day in supporting the wider vision outlined in our National Transport Strategy. To help support bus operators and passengers, we’re also providing up to £109 million to increase and maintain bus services and £10 million for bus priority infrastructure measures. In addition, we have maintained concessionary travel payments and Bus Service Operator Grants at pre-COVID levels and have provided £9.75 million to fund exhaust retrofits and help with the costs in moving to Low Emission Zones.”