Oxford Bus Company has taken delivery of 21 zero-emission battery electric Wrighbus StreetDeck Electroliner double-deck buses for its operations in the city.
The new Brookesbus fleet, which is owned and run by the operator, will replace the existing fleet of diesel buses and will prevent up to an estimated 850 tonnes of CO2 emissions being released into Oxford per year.
It is Oxford’s first ever electric bus service and the vehicles are expected to be in service by the end of the year for students, university staff, the community and visitors to the city.
All of the energy used to charge the buses will be from renewable sources, and a full charge of a bus will take about three and a half hours.
On a full charge of power, each one can travel up to 300 miles.
In addition, the new buses will emit an artificial sound while travelling at low speeds for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
The Electroliners, branded in partnership with Oxford Brookes University, have been launched as part of the city’s drive to achieve net zero by 2040.
Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company, said: “Oxford Brookes University is equally committed to using innovation to enhance sustainability and we’re proud to deliver this milestone for our community via our long-standing partnership.
“Our investment in net zero vehicles and the associated infrastructure will further help improve air quality and make bus travel an even more sustainable option for Brookes students, staff, and the wider public to travel around Oxford.”
