Transport chiefs have announced the game-changing purchase of 120 new fully electric buses for Ireland.
The historic €80.4m deal with Co Antrim’s Wrightbus is aimed at helping the country decarbonise its transport fleet.
One hundred of the new buses are destined for the Dublin Metropolitan area with the other 20 going to Limerick with Bus Éireann.
They are expected to enter service next year.
The deal was announced aboard a Dublin bus on Monday morning.
Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan said: “Going electric will reduce the carbon footprint of our public transport fleet, and will help us reach our long-term climate goals, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan.
“These new electric buses will also help reduce air pollution, improve public health and improve access to public transport for people of all abilities.
“I look forward to seeing cleaner and greener buses in operation in our cities.”
A total of 800 electric buses have been promised across Ireland under a series of climate, transport and development strategies.
These latest additions to the public transport fleet will join three hydrogen buses that took to the streets last July.
Cork, Galway and Waterford could benefit from future orders, say the NTA.
Its CEO Anne Graham said: “The transition to a zero-emission bus fleet is a central component of our BusConnects project, and the procurement of these battery-electric buses represents a key milestone in that process.
“There is no doubt people are looking to us to provide better, more sustainable transport alternatives in all areas, and it is incumbent on us as an Authority to respond to that demand in a positive way.
“In so doing, we will reduce the need for personal vehicles, making the quality of the air we breathe healthier for everyone.
“When it comes to taking climate action, we in the NTA want to play our part and we want to lead by example,” she added.
“We are doing that by transitioning our public transport fleet away from fossil fuel to zero emission technologies and as you see today we are making real progress.
“This process is already under way, and when complete in 2035 will result in public transport emissions being massively reduced.”
As part of the process, the necessary charging infrastructure will also have to be installed.
NTA says that work, as well as training for the new buses, will start later this year.
The zero emissions buses will seat up to 65 people, have a permanent space for wheelchair users and additional room for prams as well as free wifi, charging sockets and screen to display real time passenger information.
Neil Collins, Managing Director of Wrightbus, said: “We are extremely proud of this historic deal, which is hugely significant for Ireland’s decarbonisation ambitions and for us here at Wrightbus.
“This deal further cements the reputation we have built in the zero-emission sector, and follows hot on the heels of historic deals in Australia and Germany.
“This shows our ambition to be at the forefront of the zero emission drive in cities, towns and rural areas across the world.”
