Operator benefits from Scottish Government funding to power post-COVID green recovery
Gainsborough, Lincolnshire-based Eminox will be retrofitting its emissions control solutions to 205 buses operated by First Group (Scotland), with over 50 already completed.
This is a key part of the operator’s plans to support the introduction of Low Emissions Zones (LEZ) in Edinburgh, Dundee, and Aberdeen, alongside the existing LEZ in Glasgow.
The work has been partially funded through Transport Scotland’s Bus Emission Abatement Retrofit programme (BEAR), which aims to fit buses and coaches with Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS) accredited retrofit technology ahead of the full roll-out of the expanded LEZs in 2022.
Over £9.75 million is being awarded in 2020/21 for Scottish bus and coach operators to retrofit 594 buses and coaches to Euro VI standard, reducing nitrogen dioxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions and thus improving air quality in Scotland’s largest cities.
“As we move forward after COVID there’s a key focus on building a greener economy, and we’re delighted to support First Group in helping them reduce emissions across a growing part of their Scottish bus fleet,” said James Thorpe, UK Sales Manager, Eminox.
“With the forthcoming expansion of Low Emissions Zones across Scotland, bus operators need to look at how they can achieve compliance – the combination of the BEAR programme’s funding and Eminox’s CVRAS-approved technology is providing a practical and cost-effective solution to their needs.”
Eminox has worked with First Group for over 20 years across the UK to implement its retrofit emissions reduction technology, which is capable of reducing PM, NOx, NO2, CO and hydrocarbons by up to 99%.
The leading UK retrofit manufacturer, Eminox was the first company to receive CVRAS accreditation for its systems for buses, enabling operators to cost-effectively upgrade their fleets without needing to invest in new vehicles. Increasing control and lowering running costs, Eminox’s solutions are available with telematics systems providing real-world, real-time emissions reduction data and maintenance information.
“As a major bus operator across Scotland we are focused on ensuring our fleet is as green as possible, while still preserving our investment in existing vehicles,” said Gary West, Engineering Director, First Glasgow.
“Thanks to the BEAR programme and Eminox’s retrofit technology we have been able to reduce emissions and efficiently manage the upgrade programme across our fleet.”
By retrofitting emissions control technology to existing vehicles operators can minimise the investment required, ensuring compliance while boosting the value of their fleets. On average 10 older vehicles can be retrofitted for the price of buying a new bus, providing a cheaper route to compliance that reduces capital expenditure.
“The existing Glasgow Low Emission Zone is already generating tangible air quality improvements by reducing harmful transport emissions,” said Derek McCreadie, Air Quality Senior Advisor, Transport Scotland.
“With a timeline for LEZ expansion in place we are now increasing the funds for operators to retrofit their fleets, enabling them to reduce pollution and protect public health.”
About Eminox
- Eminox is a privately owned company, established in 1978, with its head office and manufacturing facilities in Lincolnshire, UK.
- The company is a leading European designer and manufacturer of exhaust and emissions control systems for heavy-duty vehicles and equipment.
- Eminox has a reputation for engineering excellence, and its products are designed and manufactured to the highest standards so they perform reliably in the real world.
- It supplies bus, truck, non-road mobile machine and rail manufacturers around the world, as well as being the major European supplier of emission control exhaust systems for retrofit to vehicles already in service, utilising leading emissions control technologies including CRT® and SCRT®.
- CRT® and SCRT® are registered trademarks of Johnson Matthey plc.
For details of Eminox’s full range of certified retrofit solutions visit https://retrofit.eminox.com/on-road/
