UK Transport Minister Norman Baker yesterday announced a £20 million boost for the government’s low-carbon bus fund.
The latest investment in the Green Bus Fund, taking the total to £95 million, is thanks to an underspend in Department for Transport’s (DfT) budget and will allow a fourth round of projects to be supported.
Since 2009, the fund has supported the purchase of diesel hybrid buses, fully electric buses and biomethane-fuelled gas buses. Each low carbon bus can save up to 26 tonnes of CO2 in London and 22 tonnes outside the capital.
Baker also launched a ‘toolkit’ to help local authorities and bus operators make decision on low-carbon bus investments.
The toolkit includes an online low-carbon bus calculator that estimates what savings could be made through reduced running costs and better fuel efficiency. Bus operators will be able to work out how long a new low-carbon bus would take to pay for itself.
“Cutting carbon emissions from transport is not a choice, it is a necessity,” said Baker. “Our new toolkit will be indispensible in allowing those considering investment in low carbon buses to see the advantages for themselves.”
Round 4 of the Green Bus Fund is now open and the DfT will shortly announce guidance on bidding and eligibility.
For further information:
www.dft.gov.uk/
Related stories:
UK low-carbon vehicle research fills up with £16.5 million fund (6-Nov)
UK government kick starts £13 million electric vehicle battery RD centre (6-Sept)
UK government gives green light to over 400 low-carbon buses (27-Mar)
London takes delivery of ‘most environmentally friendly’ bus yet (19-Dec 2011)
Article source: http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/5521/
