GLASGOW AIRPORT UNVEILS ELECTRIC BUS FLEET

Glasgow today become the first UK airport to introduce a fleet of zero-emission electric buses to its car park operation.

The three-strong fleet of all-electric battery buses, which were built in Scotland by Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), will replace the current diesel fleet used to shuttle passengers between the terminal and the airport’s Long-Stay Car Park.

This is the first time the BYD ADL Enviro200EV model has been operated anywhere in Scotland and its introduction at Glasgow Airport was made possible thanks to a £450,000 Green Bus Fund support grant from Transport Scotland.

Mark Johnston, Glasgow Airport’s Managing Director, said: “We are proud to be the first airport in the UK to incorporate a full-electric bus fleet into our car park operation.

“These state-of-the-art vehicles will play an important role in supporting our continued efforts to create a more sustainable business and will contribute significantly to help further reduce carbon emissions locally at Glasgow Airport.

“The environmental benefits and considerable cost reductions associated with the introduction of these electric vehicles was very attractive.

“Moving to a full-electric bus operation cuts the carbon emissions associated with passenger travel to and from our car park from 143 tonnes per year to zero, and this significant reduction is further supported by the fact that the airport’s electricity is also supplied via renewable energy.”

The launch of the airport’s new electric fleet coincides with Scotland’s Climate Week 2019. Events are being organised in schools, colleges and workplaces across the country to encourage people to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson, said: “I’m pleased that the Scottish Government has been able to help fund these new electric buses at Glasgow Airport which will eliminate 143 tonnes of carbon emissions from passenger travel operations.

“The uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles is central to meeting our climate change commitments and our goal of making Scotland’s air quality the best in Europe.

“At the same time, decarbonisation and the global transition towards electric mobility provides real opportunities for sustainable economic growth.

"We will continue to work to position Scotland at the forefront of this movement and to maximise the economic opportunities afforded through innovation – as demonstrated in this exciting joint project between ADL and BYD Europe.”

The introduction of the new full-electric bus fleet is one of a number of projects introduced to help reduce Glasgow Airport’s carbon footprint.

Earlier this year, the airport invested £200,000 to deploy eight of petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 4x4 vehicles across its airfield operations.

Glasgow Airport, as part of the AGS Airports Ltd group which owns and operates Aberdeen and Southampton airports, also made a commitment to ACI Europe’s NetZero2050 this month.

Glasgow joins 203 airports run by more than 47 operators across 24 European countries who have signed the resolution to formally commit to becoming net zero for carbon emissions by 2050.

A joint project between ADL and BYD Europe, the new zero-emission fleet combine BYD’s leading electric driveline and battery technology with Alexander Dennis bodies, which have been specially adapted to suit Glasgow Airport’s operational requirements.

Charging infrastructure for the three buses has also been installed at the airport’s Long-Stay Car Park and the fleet will be operated by NCP.

At 10.8m long, each bus has both front and rear access points, 23 seats, three-tier luggage compartments and includes wheelchair provision.

Colin Robertson, ADL chief executive, said: “Glasgow Airport’s decision to electrify its official car park shuttles shows that battery buses have an important role to play at airports.

"We are delighted to have used our expertise in adapting buses to specific operational requirements on these environmentally-friendly vehicles. It is great to see Glasgow Airport leading the charge with pure electric buses.”