Cambridge's First Electric Buses

17 February 2021 marks one whole year since the introduction of the city’s first electric buses!

The zero-emission vehicles, introduced as part of a joint initiative between Stagecoach East and the Greater Cambridgeshire Partnership, aim to improve air quality in the city and reduce harmful carbon emissions. The 2 vehicles began service on the popular Citi 6 route, between Cambridge, Girton and Oakington and have since operated on various routes within the Cambridge area. 

Using state-of-the-art batteries that use regenerative braking to re-charge every time the bus slows down, the fully-electric vehicles have released a total of zero tailpipe emissions during the 50,000 collective miles they have travelled since they first came into service last year. They use approximately 2kWhr of electricity per mile, which is the same amount of electricity as running a conventional oven for an hour!

Did you know?

Our electric buses are 100% Electric, 0% Emissions.

One electric bus emits 81 tonnes less of C02 a year. 

It takes eight hours to fully charge an electric bus which will last 160 miles.

Electric Bus Q&A

What is this initiative all about?

We have joined forces with the Greater Cambridge Partnership to provide Cambridge with its first ever electric buses. Two electric buses were introduced to the roads of Cambridge on 17 February 2020 on the 6 service.

How do electric buses work?
Our two electric buses run on high capacity lithium iron phosphate batteries, which are charged daily.

Where and how do you charge the buses?
Our electric buses are charged through special twin power plugs located at our Cambridge depot.

Once charged will an electric bus last all day?

Yes! It takes eight hours to fully charge a bus which will last 160 miles.

Do drivers need special training?
All our drivers receive up to six months training as a standard. Any driver on the electric bus rota will receive specific vehicle training before going live on the road.

What impacts on the environment does this have?
Electric buses are zero-emission; which helps reduce carbon emissions and improves air quality. One electric bus emits 81 tonnes less of C02 a year.

Aren’t your current buses polluting the air?

32% of our fleet across East have Euro 6 engines; Euro 6 diesel cars produce on average 0.8g of NOx per Kilometre compared to Euro 6 diesel buses that produce just 0.1g of NOx per Kilometre. We constantly investing in our fleet and new technologies.

 

Why don’t you make all your new buses electric?
Going forward we are dedicated to green solutions and will invest in the greenest technology where we can.  

Is there a difference when travelling on an electric bus?
Yes! A journey in an electric bus is smoother and quieter than one with a traditional engine.