First Bus creates three net zero depots
First Bus has announced three net zero depots following the full electrification of its commercial bus fleets in York, Leicester and Norwich.
The three areas now have depots with fully-electric fleets and additional carbon reduction requirements to reach net zero status.
It has required the operator to go beyond zero tailpipe emissions by accounting other direct operational emissions associated with each site. This includes the energy used to power depots and ancillary vehicles.
This includes reducing scope 1 and 2 emissions by more than 90% on a 2020 baseline and residual emissions – which were less than 10% – being offset through Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) carbon removals projects, with the net zero credentials verified by consultancy Carbon Footprint Ltd.
In order to achieve this feat, it replaced depot gas heating systems with electric heating, installed solar PV panels on depot roofs, and adopted energy efficiency measures in each building. In addition, the bus operator buys 100% REGO-certified renewable electricity.
The net zero blueprint will be used across the First Bus estate to achieve the wider business commitment of net zero emissions by 2050 or earlier.
Another significant milestone for First Bus is the recent order placed with NewPower, which converts diesel buses into zero-emission electric vehicles. Repowering buses extends the bus lifespan by six to nine years, the company claims, and generates less carbon emissions than manufacturing a new vehicle. A repowered bus saves around 600 tonnes of tailpipe carbon emissions over ten years, it claims.
Isabel McAllister, Chief Sustainability and Compliance Officer for First Bus, said:
“This is a huge step for First Bus as we continue to lead the way in this space within the bus industry.
“We take our net zero-emission strategy incredibly seriously and look forward to continuing the electrification of our fleets, whilst ensuring we keep delivering on our sustainability promises to the benefit of our people and our customers.”
Dr Wendy Buckley, Client Director at Carbon Footprint Ltd, added:
“First Bus is a clear leader in public transport innovation and one of the first to achieve net zero operations across three of its sites – we can’t wait to see further sites achieve this status in the future. Congratulations to the depot teams for the hard work that has gone into achieving this milestone.”
Ed Gillespie, Futurist, Environmental Entrepreneur, Campaigner and Author, said:
“It is incredible to see the creative, ingenious and comprehensive approach that First Bus has implemented to radically decarbonise its bus fleet, depots, operations and indirect emissions.”
Image courtesy of First Bus
