Electric Buses Launch at East Midlands Airport, Enhancing Sustainability and Air Quality

Strategic Insights -

East Midlands Airport has introduced electric buses to its fleet as part of a £3.5m investment, aiming to reduce emissions and improve air quality. This initiative follows the airport's announcement of running its entire fleet of ground vehicles on biodiesel, which has resulted in a 90% reduction in emissions. The new electric buses are part of the 9 Airway service, operated in partnership with Staffordshire County Council, Derbyshire Council, East Midlands Airport & Segro's East Midlands Gateway logistics park, connecting Burton and EMA with hourly services seven days a week.

Key Takeaways:

  • The PS3.5m investment for the electric buses was funded through the Government's Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) 2 scheme, a PS129m fund to introduce Zero Emission buses across the UK.
  • The new electric buses, costing PS425,000 each, are part of a growing fleet of electric vehicles at the airport, which includes two new electric 'ambulifts' for passengers with reduced mobility.
  • The initiative follows East Midlands Airport's announcement of transitioning its fleet to biodiesel, reducing emissions by up to 90%.
  • The 9 Airway service runs between Burton and EMA and Gateway via Swadlincote and Ashby, operating hourly services seven days a week.
  • East Midlands Airport's managing director, Steve Griffiths, and operations manager for Diamond Bus East Midlands, Richard Grosvenor, were present at the launch of the new electric buses.
  • The investment in electric buses and biodiesel vehicles is part of the airport's efforts to celebrate its diamond anniversary year.

Statistics:

  • PS3.5m: The total investment for the electric buses.
  • PS129m: The fund allocated for the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) 2 scheme in the UK.
  • PS425,000: The cost of each electric bus.
  • 90%: The reduction in emissions achieved by switching to biodiesel.
  • 9 Airway: The service operated by Diamond Bus, connecting Burton and EMA.
  • 7: The number of days the service operates.
  • 1: The number of hourly services to the airport and Gateway sites.
  • 3: The number of new electric buses launched on the route so far.
  • 6: The total number of new electric buses planned for the 9 Airway service.

Sources:

  • [1] EMA introduces electric buses with £3.5m investment (Air Transport World)
  • [2] Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) 2 scheme (Government UK)
  • [3] East Midlands Airport celebrates diamond anniversary (East Midlands Airport)