My local airport – Birmingham Airport – is stepping away from diesel-powered buses and moving to an all-electric fleet for its landside services
The new electric buses, charging at Birmingham Airport – Image, Birmingham Airport
The landside buses connect the terminal area at Birmingham Airport to car parks across the Birmingham Airport estate. Six buses have been purchased, with six Volvo 7900e buses. These promise 80% lower energy consumption than the equivalent sized diesel bus
The investment for the buses and associated works cost at £1.8m was made by the airport, with an additional grant of £1.4m provided by the Department for Transport under its Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme.
In terms of charging the buses (as the operation is 24/7), each bus will be recharged whilst in service using the ’OppCharge’ opportunity charging pantograph system. Two charging points have been installed outside of the terminal, taking up to six minutes to complete charging, giving flexibility whilst also enabling continuous operation. Additional plug-in charging points are located in the coach park. Plans have also been put in place to make the charging points available for future use by public electric bus and coach operators.
In quotes
Nick Barton, CEO of Birmingham Airport said:
“I’m extremely proud to say we are the first UK airport to implement a fully electric landside bus service. The buses are not only a big win for us in terms of the reduction in emissions, but they will also contribute to providing an improved passenger experience. The 7900e Volvo UK buses are considerably quieter than the buses we had in use previously and are equipped with location-based passenger updates as well as USB charging built into every seat.
“This is a really exciting time for the Birmingham Airport. Over the next 15 years we are investing significantly to improve our facilities and service for customers, whilst reducing our carbon footprint to reach an ambitious target of net zero carbon by 2033.
“I’d like to thank Volvo Bus UK for supplying the new electric buses and look forward to a greener future at Birmingham Airport.”
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said:
“A huge congratulations to Birmingham Airport on the launch of their electric buses. It really is great to see the airport leading the way in the fight against climate change, not only as the first UK airport to implement a fully electric landside bus fleet, but also with its wider commitment to become net zero carbon by 2033. We know around a third of carbon emissions across the West Midlands come from transport, but the good news is that we are making progress to tackle this, with Birmingham Airport’s electric bus fleet a prime example.
“In July of this year, the West Midlands Combined Authority took the step to invite youth climate strikers to our board meeting to discuss the issues around climate change. This meeting led to us declaring a climate emergency in the region, and setting our own West Midlands target of becoming carbon neutral no later than 2041 – nine years ahead of the national target.
“We have a real commitment to change across the West Midlands, with Birmingham Airport paving the way. A big well done to all involved in launching this electric bus fleet.”
Upping the environmental game.
Birmingham Airport has t introduced low power transit systems landside for the mass movement of people, with its AirRail Link (connecting the airport with the railway station). Adding an option for those who choose to come by car and park at the airport is a welcome thing – and one that needs further adoption.
The real challenge will be to introduce an equivalent product air-side, along with the risk assessments and requirements that will be required to meet (and Birmingham Airport uses bus airside a fair bit to shuttle passengers between the terminal and the aircraft), as well as convincing local bus operators to switch to this system too.
And for other airports – this could be a useful learning exercise when they choose to deploy new bus fleets.
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