Buses in Harrogate set to go all-electric
£21m will be spent on 39 new all-electric buses for The Harrogate Bus Company
Last updated 16th Aug 2023
Harrogate's largest bus operator is set to run an all-electric service in the town after receiving a government grant to spend on electric vehicles.
The Harrogate Bus Company's parent firm, Transdev, will spend £21m on 39 new electric buses and chargers at its depot.
This includes 20 new all-electric single deck buses that will be used on Route 1 between Harrogate and Knaresborough, Route 7 linking Harrogate, Wetherby and Leeds, and Route 24 between Harrogate and Pateley Bridge.
19 new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400EV fully electric double decker buses will also be purchased for use on Route 36, linking Ripon, Harrogate and Leeds - the first time it will enter service nationally.
Alongside eight existing electric buses, this will mean the operator's 47-bus Harrogate fleet will be fully electric.
Transdev expect the new buses to enter service next spring.
Transdev's Managing Director, Henri Rohard, said upgrading the fleet "is an important evolution in the quality and sustainability of our network in and around our home town of Harrogate."
He added the company's fleet would be "the most modern and passenger oriented network" in the country.
The use of new higher output chargers at Harrogate bus station will mean each bus "will travel further in a day than the maximum range achievable by fully electric buses," Mr Rohard added.
These new orders have been supported by a £7.8m government grant to North Yorkshire Council from the Government's Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas fund.
The Council is one of 12 local authorities nationwide to have submitted a successful bid.
North Yorkshire Council's Executive Member for Highways and Transport, Cllr Keane Duncan, said the Council "are delighted to see that our successful bid for government funding is helping to transform bus travel in and around Harrogate."
“We look forward to continuing to work with Transdev on this project. It’s great news for passengers and an important step towards achieving our climate aims,” he added.
Roads Minister Richard Holden commented that it was "fantastic to see Transdev turn its Harrogate fleet electric by ordering 39 new electric buses."
Mr Holden added that the government grant reflects its continued "quest to decarbonise transport and reach net zero by 2050."