A SCOTTISH transport business has announced it has secured funding to expand its fleet of electric busses by more than a third.
Ember, the UK’s first all-electric intercity bus operator, is planning to increase its fleet of zero-emission coaches after securing a £5.6 million bank loan from Triodos.
The transport firm have also received funding for the new coaches from Transport for Scotland through the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZeb).
The purchase of an additional 14 coaches will take the bus firm's total fleet number to 38.
The coaches can travel up to 350 miles on a single charge and their battery lifespan allows the busses to travel more than 180,000 miles per year.
The transport start-up launched in 2020 with just two coaches operating its first route between Dundee and Edinburgh.
Ember has since expanded its transport network to also include services to Glasgow, Stirling, and Kinross.
Along with ambitions of expanding its fleet the transport business is also planning on increasing passenger spaces on its coaches from 38 to 53, tripling luggage capacity, and providing 5G WiFi.
Keith Bradbury, co-founder at Ember, said: “Triodos have been with us from the very start of Ember and have adapted their approach as we’ve scaled the business, taking a deeper look into our long-term plans, and understanding what financial backing they could provide to support each phase.
“Whilst many banks say they are supporting green projects, Triodos stand out from the crowd with their ability to look at a project’s merits from first principles to understand the true impact it can deliver.”
Norrie Cruickshank, senior relationship manager at Triodos Bank UK, added: “Supporting the transition to a low carbon economy is an important objective for us as a bank and to work with a pioneering company in the electrification of transport is an ideal fit for us.
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to provide further support as Ember continues to expand its provision of high quality, affordable zero-emission transport to a greater number of passengers across more locations.”
