Scania is continuing to take a lead role in pushing a range of clean energy solutions for vehicles around the world with news through from the UK that the Swedish commercial maker has commissioned a new gas filling station in the UK to fuel a fleet of 77 new bio methane powered gas buses.
The Scania chassis buses are being operated by First West from its Lawrence Hill depot and started in January with the first ten of the new buses going into operation on the metrobus m3 service, drawing fuel from the brand-new gas fueling station at the depot.
Another 27 new gas powered buses have also the streets featuring Scania chassis and bodies built by Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL).
The buses are claimed to reduce emissions by 85 per cent and give customers an improved, smooth and quiet on-board experience, with modern and comfortable interiors.
The new gas filling station, represents an investment of more than $AUD 3.8 million (£2 million) and provide 100 per cent compressed bio-methane to fuel up to 100 gas buses. The bio-methane is taken direct from the mains, which provides another green benefit as there will be no fuel delivery from road tankers. The station can be easily extended to supply more buses as they are purchased, in due course.
Operating in tandem with another existing bio-methane station, the two sites mean a total of 99 buses will be running on bio-methane gas in the region by April this year with each fueling keeping a bus on the road for around 400km.
The total scheme has involved an investment of $AUD 54million (£28 million) over three years and was part-funded by a government grant of $AUD9.2 million (£4.79 million) under a Low Emission Bus Scheme (LEBS).
The bio-methane gas that fuels the buses comes from waste food and is supplied from anaerobic digesters across the UK. Bio-methane gas offers more than 85 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases compared to older diesel buses and helps to improve air quality. These new buses build on the legacy of the Bristol ‘Poo bus’, which, ran across Bristol during the City’s year as European Green Capital in 2015.
