Aberdeen to run zero-emission bus fleet to boost air quality

The Scottish government and the European Union is set to join forces to provide funding for a zero-emission bus fleet and refuelling station for Aberdeen, which will improve air quality in the city.

As part of the clean energy plan, which has received around £3.3 million in financial backing from the government, Scottish Enterprise and the European Commission, ten hydrogen fuel cell buses will be deployed in the city centre as well as the creation of Scotland's first hydrogen refuelling hub.

The hydrogen fuel cell buses, which are expected to be fully operational by early 2014, produce water vapour instead of carbon monoxide and other pollutants that contribute to air quality problems.

Scottish first minister Alex Salmond said that the Green Bus Fund is supporting the rollout of 74 low carbon buses, with a host of diesel-electric hybrids already on the nation's roads, helping to reduce harmful vehicle emissions.

"Aberdeen is already Europe's offshore energy capital and this exciting new project can help position it as a leading city for low carbon technology and green transport. With a strong group of project partners, this initiative will boost Scotland's profile as a key hydrogen technology hub and a world-leading investment location for pioneering low carbon energy and transport systems."

Barney Crockett, leader of Aberdeen city council, said that the funding for the project is a major contribution to the local authority.

"I believe this initiative will stimulate further innovative hydrogen technology projects and attract even more high-level investment to this city. It is a crucial step towards Aberdeen becoming a world-leading, smart hydrogen city," he added.

Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution will also develop an integrated "whole hydrogen" system, which will harness wind energy to produce and store hydrogen, that could be used as fuel for the bus fleet and also for hydrogen-powered cars, when these become available.

Aberdeen will be just the second city in the UK to operate hydrogen powered buses after a fleet of the zero-emission vehicles started operating in London in 2011, with the aim of boosting the air quality in the capital.

Posted by Lauren Steadman