Do Bristol’s New Electric Buses Truly Benefit the Environment? Discover the Impact!

On June 3, Bristol made significant progress in its climate goals with the opening of an electrified bus depot in Hengrove. This new facility is home to 74 electric buses, made possible by a £37.4 million investment from First Bus and an extra £6.6 million from the government.

These electric buses are just the start of First Bus’s plan to achieve a fully net-zero fleet by 2035. Doug Claringbold, managing director of First Bus in the West of England, emphasized the positive impact: “Four of our five depots are fully electrified. We’re cutting carbon emissions and improving air quality for about 750,000 passengers.”

The transportation sector plays a major role in pollution, contributing 24% of total emissions. In Bristol, transport accounts for 34% of a resident’s carbon footprint. Bad air quality can lead to serious health issues, including asthma and heart problems.

Each electric bus is projected to save around 75 tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to taking 54 cars off the road. While these buses are cleaner, it’s essential to consider their energy sources. Faizan Ahmad, Decarbonisation Programme director at First Bus, assured that the electricity used at the depot comes from renewable sources, certified by the Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO).

Electric buses are designed to last longer than traditional diesel buses, potentially extending their lifespan to over 15 years. Although these buses have higher upfront costs, First Bus is also working to retrofit existing diesel buses, making the transition more affordable.

To encourage more residents to use public transport, First Bus launched the “Kids Go Free” initiative this summer, resulting in over 500,000 free journeys in just the first month. However, many Bristol residents still prefer their cars. A Long Ashton resident remarked that public transport can be unreliable, leading her to choose her personal vehicle instead, even though the electric buses are environmentally friendly.

The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is aware of these concerns and is working on better service. They are reintroducing discontinued routes and extending bus hours to better match residents’ needs, including service until 6 AM on weekends.

The big question is whether these improvements will be enough to encourage residents to give up their cars. The new electric buses are a step towards reducing Bristol’s carbon footprint, but changing people’s travel habits is crucial for real environmental benefits. The longer these efforts can sustain cleaner air and reduce pollution, the better it will be for everyone.

For more details on Bristol’s efforts toward a greener future, you can check out the One City Climate Strategy and updates from First Bus.

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