The bus division of Aberdeen-based transport giant FirstGroup has won an award for its efforts to reduce emissions from its fleet, which include the development of a “poo-powered” vehicle.
First Bus picked up the Low Carbon Vehicle Operator of the Year 2016 prize at an awards ceremony in Milton Keynes last night.
Winners at the Low Carbon Champions Awards go onto the European Business Awards for the Environment.
Judges said they were impressed by the work First Bus is doing at Millbrook, a vehicle testing facility in Bedfordshire.
Since 2012, First Bus has improved its fleets’ fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions by about 30%.
First Bus operates 12 electric buses in York and two in Bristol; four hydrogen fuel cell buses in Aberdeen; while in Bristol recently trialled a bio-methane vehicle that ran on fuel processed from human waste − popularly known as the “poo bus”.
The company operates the largest fleet of DfT certified “low carbon buses” within the UK and in 2015 announced the largest order on record in the UK for vehicles with Euro VI engines, which produce 95% less oxides of nitrogen emissions and help improve air quality.
In 2016 First Bus announced a £70million investment in a further 305 Euro VI vehicles.
First Bus managing director Giles Fearnley said: “I am extremely proud that First Bus continues to lead the industry, working with our manufacturing partners to produce vehicles that are ever more fuel efficient, cost effective and of course better for our environment.
“I’m delighted therefore, that our trail blazing approach and in particular our ground breaking vehicle trials has been recognised at the LowCVP Champions Awards.
“This award reflects the hard work and huge talent of the First Bus engineering and procurement teams, and our successful partnerships with vehicle manufacturers.”
