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Improved urban environment one year after the launch of 145 electric buses

Thursday, December 16, 2021

One year ago 145 new electric buses were introduced in Gothenburg, Mölndal and Partille and the climate-related and environmental benefits have now been examined. And the positive results are clear. A halving of nitrogen dioxide emissions and a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 10 percent are some of the positive effects that electrification has led to during the past year. The nitrogen dioxide savings correspond to the annual emissions from just over 8,000 average cars.

One year ago, the Nordic region's largest electric bus fleet was launched in Gothenburg, Mölndal and Partille with a total of 145 electric buses on assignment. The buses are run by Transdev, on behalf of Västtrafik and the buses come from Volvo. According to Västtrafik's forecasts, emissions of the hazardous nitrogen oxides in bus traffic have almost halved, from 108 tonnes in 2020 to 58 tonnes in 2021 since its launch.

According to information from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, these nitrogen dioxide savings emitted from just over 8,000 average cars driven 1,100 km per year, which is the average distance that a car drives each year in Sweden.

"These are fantastic numbers, while we must also remember that emissions from our bus traffic were already at a low level. We are now continuing to work towards the goal that all public transport in the cities must be fully electrified by 2030", says Hanna Björk, head of sustainability at Västtrafik.

In addition to nitrogen oxide emissions, there are also large differences in carbon dioxide emissions. They have decreased by 10 percent during the year, from 16,500 tonnes in 2020 to 14,500 tonnes in 2021. The electric buses have also had a positive effect on particulate emissions. During the year, it is estimated to have decreased by about 19 percent, from about 900 kilos to 730 kilos.

"These are very gratifying numbers that come as a receipt for all the hard work that the launch of the electric bus fleet required in 2020. In addition to a more quiet environment in our cities, our drivers also get a better working environment with reduced noise and less vibration. We are proud to be able to contribute to building the sustainable city of the future", says Anders Ekman, Business Manager Gothenburg, Mölndal, Partille at Transdev Sverige AB.

In the Gothenburg area, the Nordic region's largest fleet of electric buses runs by appointment by Västtrafik, with approximately 220 electric buses in several places around the region. In 2022, about 100 new electric buses will start running and by 2030, all of Västtrafik's 700 city buses are expected to be electric.