Glasgow airport has introduced a fleet of electric buses serving its terminal and long-stay car park, in what it says is a first for a UK airport.
The three Scottish-built buses operate a free 24-hour passenger service, and replace the previous Diesel-powered vehicles.
The move is part of the airport’s drive to reduce its carbon footprint, with other recent initiatives including a £200,000 investment to introduce a fleet of eight petrol/electric hybrid vehicles for airfield operations.
Airports are increasingly embracing electric transportation technology – Luton recently trialled a 75 per cent reduction in drop-off charges for electric vehicles, while earlier this year British Airways added new electric London taxis to its fleet of Premium Transfer Drive vehicles at Heathrow.
Commenting on the news 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 introduction of the buses was made possible by a £450,000 Green Bus Fund from Transport Scotland.
