National Express to introduce first electric coaches to its service next year
National Express Group outlined its vision to become the UK’s most sustainable bus and coach company.
The company announced that it will not buy another diesel bus for its UK operations.
National Express will lead the transition to zero emission coaches, with a target for the first electric coaches to be in service next year. The company also announced that it aims to convert its UK bus and UK coach fleets to be fully zero emission from 2030 and 2035 respectively. National Express's environmental targets will make up 25% of senior executive Long Term Incentive Plans.
This new vision follows its sustained investment in Euro VI vehicles, way ahead of Clean Air Zone and Ultra Low Emission Zone requirements. National Express Group has also been one of the first transport companies to adopt the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's methodology for setting its carbon reduction targets.
National Express Group recognises the importance of operators playing their role in delivering public policy ambitions. The recent government announcement of a £5 billion ($6.4 billion) bus fund, the pro-public transport policies of the Mayor of the West Midlands and the ambitious vision set out in the draft Birmingham Transport Plan all show there is a desire for leadership and change. National Express Group is determined to be part of that change and to demonstrate that leadership.
National Express Group will shortly launch a procurement competition to choose the manufacturers and partners to help achieve these ambitions. This year it will place a major order for electric buses to add to its first zero emission vehicles which will shortly enter service in the West Midlands. The company will hold an in-service trial of an electric coach on the Stansted Airport service. It will also select partners to develop a zero emission vehicle suitable for all long distance coach routes.
With significant operations overseas, National Express Group will also look to apply this leadership to these businesses shortly and set equally ambitious objectives.
Dean Finch, National Express Group Chief Executive said: “Bus and Coach travel is already one of the greenest ways to get around, with each bus removing up to 75 cars from the road. National Express has already invested in clean buses and coaches and kept fares low to support a shift from private cars to mass transit. Working through our West Midlands Bus Alliance we have achieved the fastest passenger growth of any major city-region in the country, demonstrating its success.”
“However we understand the imperative to go much further, so we are today setting out an ambition to be the first zero emission transport group in the UK. Our decision to never again buy a diesel bus in the UK coupled with our support in leading the zero emission transition in coach will place our UK operations at the forefront of efforts to tackle climate change and poor air quality. We simply believe this is the right thing to do for our customers, the communities we serve and our stakeholders,” added Finch.
Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, said: “Working in partnership with National Express in the last three years we have managed to deliver an increase in passengers, brand-new buses, and fare freezes. Now I am delighted to be working with the company again to help tackle the region's climate emergency. Air pollution is a major contributor to climate change in the West Midlands, and we need to make sure people across the region are being presented with clean, viable alternatives to the car.”
National Express to introduce first electric coaches to its service next year
Modified on Monday 2nd March 2020
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National Express to introduce first electric coaches to its service next year