Cambridge’s Electric Buses Drive Down Emissions and Improve Air Quality

Cambridge’s Electric Buses Drive Down Emissions and Improve Air Quality

Cambridge residents are reaping the benefits of an investment in green public transport, with the rollout of 30 electric buses in May 2023 already improving the city’s air quality.

The introduction of these electric buses has reduced carbon emissions by an impressive 4,585kg per week. Of the 280 buses operated by Stagecoach, 32 are now electric, including 22 dedicated to serving Cambridge’s five Park and Ride sites.

The move towards electric buses has not only cut emissions but has also encouraged greater use of the city’s Park and Ride services. Patronage at these sites has steadily increased, as residents and visitors see the electric buses as a more reliable and environmentally friendly travel option.

The city’s air quality has significantly improved, with monthly NO2 concentrations down 20% compared to 2021 and 37% lower than the baseline measured in 2017. These figures demonstrate the positive impact of Cambridge’s commitment to sustainable transport and cleaner air for its residents.

The electric buses have been funded by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP), Stagecoach East and the Department for Transport following a successful bid to the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme.

Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said:

“The rollout of electric buses is a great step towards reducing our carbon footprint and creating a better connected and more resilient region. These results show what we can achieve when we invest in sustainable, forward-thinking solutions for transport.”

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority has a mission to ensure that transport across the region is cleaner, greener, more efficient, and reliable and provides residents with more choice over their journeys.  These results demonstrate the tangible benefits of investing in green transport.