Aberdeen could accommodate up to 200 hydrogen buses by 2024, according to an industry leader who wants to roll out thousands across the country.
Jo Bamford, the grandson of JCB founder Joseph Bamford, says the move would create jobs and save lives from being lost to air pollution.
The city first took delivery of 10 hydrogen-powered buses in 2015, and is awaiting a further 15 double-deckers which are due to be operated by First Aberdeen and hit the streets later this year.
These are being produced by Northern Ireland firm Wrightbus, which was saved from collapse by Mr Bamford last year.
The businessman, who also runs hydrogen production company Ryse, is currently drawing up plans to supply cities across the UK with 3,000 hydrogen buses, and says Aberdeen could take as many as 200 of them.
Mr Bamford says the switch would save 280,000 tons of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere each year, which would be equivalent to taking 107,000 cars off the road.
And in turn, this would keep citizens healthier. The Centre for Cities has suggested as many as 63 people in Aberdeen die each year as a result of toxins being released in the air from vehicles.
“Cities around the world are seeing massive reductions in air pollution as many vehicles have been kept off the road during the pandemic,” he said.
“However, the reality is that if we just go back to how public transport has traditionally been run, levels of pollution will quickly rise again to the same levels as before the crisis.
“We have an opportunity with hydrogen powered transport to make a huge difference to air quality, and for UK jobs as well.”
Mr Bamford has said the widespread introduction of hydrogen buses could pave the way for a “knock-on transformation” of other vehicles, including lorries, trains and ships.
Philip Bell, Aberdeen City Council’s energy spokesman, said: “As the UK’s energy capital, Aberdeen has led the way on integrating hydrogen technology in transport and we look forward to working with Ryse and others to explore further investment.
“We will be bringing forward our strategic infrastructure plan showing Aberdeen’s ambition to be at the forefront of the energy transition.
“We have an incredible skills base in the city, which is helping to drive forward plans for our energy transition zone, of which ydrogen will play a key part.
“This announcement from Jo Bamford shows the exciting economic and transport innovations that are possible with the right commitment.”
