Bristol Airport trials new electric airside bus to reduce emissions

Credit: Bristol Airport

Bristol Airport (BRS) is continuing with its strategy of reducing airport operating emissions by trialling an electric airside bus.

The bus, introduced on a trial basis, has the capacity to carry up to 110 customers and will operate between Bristol Airport’s terminal building and aircraft. The fully electric vehicle includes state-of-the-art features to maximise safety and comfort. The operating benefits of the bus will be studied and compared to the existing fleet.

James Shearman, Head of Sustainability at Bristol Airport, said: “We are committed to embedding sustainability principles into the way we work every day, the way we develop and the way we collaborate. We are delighted to be working with COBUS Industries in helping deliver our sustainability targets and reducing airport emissions. This is only one project we are working on to achieve being a net zero airport operation by 2030.”

In June 2021, Bristol Airport announced that it will achieve carbon neutrality four years ahead of schedule, reducing the time scale from 2025 to 2021. Additionally, the airport is taking a leadership position in the industry and confirmed that it will be the first net zero airport in the UK by 2030, 20 years ahead of the UK government target date. In line with this target, BRS has made three key commitments: to be a net zero airfield, with net zero buildings and operating a net zero fleet of vehicles.