Following the successful introduction of Nottingham City Transport’s (NCT) first electric buses into service on 8th April 2024, the UK Bus Operator of the Year is today marking the one-year anniversary of its zero-emission fleet being rolled out across Nottingham.
Since entering service, NCT’s fleet of 48 electric buses has:
- Travelled 870,980 miles
- Prevented 1,263 tonnes of CO₂e emissions
- Carried over 3.8 million passengers
The buses have quickly become a much-praised part of Nottingham’s public transport offering. In NCT’s most recent customer survey, 97% of respondents rated electric journeys as comfortable, 88% described them as quiet, and 97% found the ride smooth. Additionally, 88% of respondents would like to see electric buses introduced on more NCT routes.
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Electric buses now operate across a wide range of city routes, including Navy 3, 48; Green 5, 7, 8, 9, 11; Pink 30; Blue 39, 40, 41, 42; Red 45; Sky Blue 61; and Yellow 70, 71. Each bus is built to NCT’s usual high specifications but also includes several improvements for customer comfort and accessibility. These features include:
- Air conditioning for year-round comfort
- Repositioned visual next-stop displays
- Extra legroom
- A larger buggy bay
- USB-C charging points
- Hearing loops
- A more accessible wheelchair space without tip-up seating
Full-colour destination displays also improve visibility from a distance and in low light.
NCT has ordered a total of 62 electric single-deck buses, with the final 14 currently in productionand due to enter service by the end of the year. These additional buses will include upgrades to Grey Lines 53 and 54, serving Arnold, City Hospital, Ring Road, QMC, and Clifton—completing the electrification of NCT’s entire single-deck fleet in just 18 months.
David Astill, NCT’s Managing Director, said:
“On the first anniversary of our electric buses taking to the streets, they’ve contributed to significant emission reductions and helped improve air quality across Nottingham. The buses have proven very popular with our drivers, engineers, and customers, and we are on track to fully electrify our single-deck fleet by the end of the year, enabling more people to travel sustainably.”
The introduction of these additional electric buses aligns with Nottingham City Transport’s ongoing efforts to support Nottingham’s ambition of becoming carbon-neutral by 2028, while also improving air quality and reducing the city’s carbon footprint.
The buses are part of NCT’s partnership with Nottingham City Council and the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme, which contributed £12.3 million towards the £30 million total cost of the new buses and supporting infrastructure. The remaining £17.7 million was invested by NCT.
The vehicles, manufactured by Yutong and finished to NCT’s specifications by Yorkshire-based Pelican Engineering, are supported by infrastructure provider Zenobē.
As Nottingham continues its journey towards carbon neutrality by 2028, the introduction and expansion of electric buses are helping reshape how residents travel—sustainably, comfortably, and with confidence in the future of public transport.
