Clean Air Day: New electric buses already pulling their weight in carbon saving

Since Go North East introduced new electric buses to their fleet in January, 1.5 million journeys have been taken on the zero emission vehicles, saving more than 500 tonnes of carbon emissions from polluting the atmosphere.

The amount of carbon emissions saved weighs as much as 40 double-decker electric buses or more than double the weight of the Angel of the North, the inspiration for the operator’s Angel 21 livery.

Ben quote: “It’s fantastic that our new electric buses have already hit the huge milestone of 1.5 million journeys. These new vehicles, along with the 18 that were already part of our fleet, are making a significant difference to the volume of carbon polluting our atmosphere and impacting air quality for North East communities.

“If you haven’t already travelled on our new electric buses, I’d really encourage you to make that first electric journey for Clean Air Day on 18 June.”

The 29 buses operate on three of the region’s busiest routes, Angel 21, X66 and service 58, and were built in the UK by manufacturers Alexander Dennis and Wrightbus.

The vehicles were backed by a £17 million joint investment from Go North East, the North East Combined Authority and the Department for Transport and were unveiled at a showstopping launch event in January at the Utilita Arena, Newcastle.

As well as being better for the environment, the new electric fleet includes a range of accessibility upgrades, such as audio-visual next-stop announcements, hearing loops and external sounders to alert pedestrians, helping to make bus travel more inclusive for everyone.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Carbon emissions calculations

According to data from Go-Ahead Group, each zero emissions bus deployed by The Go-Ahead Group saves on average 60 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.

Go North East’s 29 new electric buses have been in service for approximately four months.

The figure used in this article was based on the calculations below:

60 tonnes of carbon emissions average per year divided by 12 months = 5 tonnes saved per month per bus on average

5 tonnes per month multiplied by 4 months in service for each of GNE’s new EVs = 20 tonnes
20 tonnes x 29 new EVs = 580 tonnes

Go North East

Go North East runs a network of bus routes across the North East region including Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham, and surrounding areas.

The Go-Ahead Group is one of the UK’s leading providers of public transport, enabling more than a billion passenger journeys each year on its bus and rail services. Go-Ahead places great importance on partnership, adopting a collaborative approach with governments, local communities and strategic partners; developing and operating services that create long-term value for all.

For more information about Go-Ahead Group visit www.go-ahead.com.