Nottingham City Transport (NCT) and fleet electrification firm Zenobē have transitioned the newly-electrified Trent Bridge Garage to electric operations.
The milestone follows the announcement of the joint project between Nottingham City Council, NCT and Zenobē, which was supported by £12.3 million from the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) fund in 2022.
As part of the £30 million total project investment, NCT’s 1901 tramshed has been electrified with modern charging infrastructure, ready to support 78 electric buses.
Some 48 electric buses are now in service, and have clocked up nearly 3 million kilometres in service, with an additional 14 to arrive soon.
It marks NCT’s first electrification project going live, delivered in close collaboration with Zenobē, who provided financing for vehicles and batteries, charging infrastructure and expertise.
The project demonstrates how existing bus depots can be effectively upgraded, rather than replaced, making the transition to electric more feasible for other operators across the UK, the firm said.
David Astill, NCT Managing Director, said:
“It’s an exciting moment for us as the works to introduce our first electric depot are now complete. Zenobē have been instrumental in successfully delivering Nottingham City Transport’s ambitions and supporting our team along the way.
“This project proves that with the right partners, public and private sector collaboration can deliver real change. It is an important step towards Nottingham’s carbon-neutral ambitions.”
Julia Meek, Director of Bus, said:
“We are delighted to mark this important milestone with Nottingham City Transport as we hand over a fully operational electric depot. By combining NCT’s operational expertise, net-zero ambition, and deep understanding of passenger needs with our financial and technical capabilities, we have built a strong foundation for the efficient and reliable operation of these buses. This is a powerful example of public–private collaboration delivering enhanced bus services for the people of Nottingham.
“We look forward to strengthening this partnership and supporting the continued efficient operation of these vehicles, ensuring they run reliably, cleanly, and cost-effectively across the network.”
Image courtesy of NCT/Zenobē
