A north-east MSP has urged the Scottish Government to invest in Aberdeen’s hydrogen buses.
Labour member, Lewis Macdonald, has called on the Holyrood administration to give financial backing to a European project that would see more of the iconic vehicles on the streets of the Granite City.
The city council’s finance committee has already endorsed the Joint Initiative Hydrogen Vehicles Across Europe (JIVE) project, having agreed to provide £2.5m in funding.
But the Labour stalwart has warned the project can only go ahead if the Scottish Government is willing to provide an additional £3m.
He said: “Support from the Scottish Government is vital to the success of this project, and I have written to energy minister Paul Wheelhouse to urge him to ensure that the necessary funds are provided.
“This is a great opportunity for Aberdeen City Council and the Scottish Government to work together on a project that will benefit Aberdeen, and which could serve as a blueprint for other cities in Scotland seeking to use more environmentally friendly vehicles.”
However, the Scottish Government responded that no firm decision had been reached and added that a meeting of the Scottish Cities Alliance, where JIVE Project funding was discussed, had already been convened, but city council chiefs didn’t take up their invite to the meeting.
A spokeswoman said: “We are committed to the introduction of cleaner and greener transport and we have been working closely with all partners to support the delivery of the current fleet of hydrogen buses across Aberdeen.
“Our Scottish Green Bus Fund is helping our bus industry invest in the latest emission-reducing technology and is a clear indication of our support and commitment to the bus industry in Scotland.
“We are also supporting major demonstration projects in Fife and Orkney, which showcase the role hydrogen and fuel cells can play in delivering local, low-carbon energy systems.”
