Aberdeen's Hydrogen Bus Fleet Investment
The world's first hydrogen double-decker bus fleet, which was discontinued in Aberdeen, incurred a cost of nearly £14 million, according to recently disclosed figures.
The initiative, involving 25 buses, was designed to pioneer clean public transportation, positioning Aberdeen as a global centre for hydrogen-powered buses.
However, in February, the city council declared the termination of the project, opting instead to pursue electric vehicles.
Financial Details and Partnership
Following a freedom of information (FoI) request submitted by STV, Aberdeen City Council revealed that the total expenditure on the bus fleet was approximately £13.9 million.
In 2022, the council partnered commercially with oil and gas company BP to advance Aberdeen's hydrogen ambitions.
Operational Challenges and Project Termination
The buses had been out of service since September 2024 due to issues with fuelling stations located at Kittybrewster and Cove.
Subsequently, the council resolved to discontinue the hydrogen bus fleet in favour of electric vehicles following a decision by its urgent business committee.
When asked about the procurement costs, the local authority stated:
"The 25 vehicles currently in the city were procured in two tranches. The total purchase cost was approximately £13.9m across the fleet."
Shift Towards Electric Buses
Increasingly, cities are choosing battery-powered buses as an alternative.
In 2021, First Bus in Glasgow confirmed an investment in a fleet of 120 single and double-decker electric buses capable of rapid overnight charging and providing up to 18 hours of service daily.
More recently, the electric inter-city bus operator Ember has expanded its fleet in Scotland to approximately 100 vehicles.
Advancements in battery capacity and efficiency have enabled electric buses to be charged quickly and cover extensive distances.
Although electric buses have a higher upfront cost compared to diesel counterparts, their lower running costs result in operational savings from the start of service.
