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Coventry’s all electric buses is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), secured £50 million funding from the Department of Transport to ensure every bus in Coventry is zeroemission. Funding was used to replace the city’s bus fleet with zero-emission electric buses along with charging infrastructure. The latest 130 vehicles are in addition to 10 fully electric double-decker buses introduced by National Express Coventry in 2020, supported by £2.2 million of government funding from the Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme.
A £140 million project to create the UK’s first all-electric bus city by 2025 has taken a major step forward with National Express Coventry now operating 130 new double-decker zero emission allelectric buses in Coventry. All 130 Enviro400 electric buses are UK-built in Falkirk by Alexander Dennis on a BYD chassis. The buses produce zero carbon emissions at the tailpipe and are powered by renewable ‘green’ energy thanks to solar panels, a second-life battery and charge-point infrastructure all installed at National Express Coventry’s bus depot by electrification specialist Zenobē. The electric buses take four hours to charge and can run for up to 175 miles depending on the time of year. To date, National Express Coventry’s electric buses have operated over 2.5 million miles since their first introduction in August 2020, saving 4,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and contributing towards the achievement of the Council’s objectives to reduce vehicle emissions within the city. The overall project has been funded by a combination of Government funding and investment from National Express. In 2021 Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which
With 80 percent of National Express Coventry’s fleet now zero-emission, it marks a significant step forward in Coventry’s mission to promote sustainable transportation and create a healthier environment for the community. It also comes after the completion of 1250 electric vehicle charging sockets in Coventry, contributing to the ongoing improvement of the city's air quality. Councillor Jim O’Boyle, the City Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, has welcomed the news, he said: “This is great news. It’s a significant step towards the decarbonisation of the city’s transport network, building on the Council’s investment in a public chargepoint network, and our investment in new cycle routes. “I’ve used the new electric buses and they’re very smart, comfortable to ride on, and, most importantly, are good for our environment.” Alex Jensen, CEO National Express UK & Germany, said: “We’re incredibly proud to play our part in making Coventry the UK’s first All-Electric Bus City. By working together with our partners at TfWM, Coventry City Council and Zenobē we have made great progress in creating a greener and more efficient public transport system for our customers. “As we have some of the cheapest ticket fares in England, alongside flexible ticketing, our customers can have the confidence that they are doing their bit for the planet when they ditch the car and travel by bus.” More people using public transport has significant benefits for society including safer
roads, increased access to opportunities, reduced congestion, improved air quality and more space in our cities. Roads Minister Richard Holden MP, said: “Backed by our funding, Coventry’s plans to create the UK’s first All-Electric Bus City will help connect communities across the city, helping to grow the economy whilst making bus journeys cleaner with British made buses.” Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “We’re well on our way to making Coventry the UK’s first allelectric bus city by 2025. It’s great news that National Express moved ahead at pace with placing the order - getting these British made buses into service. “These environmentally friendly buses will help to improve air quality in Coventry and by switching to a modern electric fleet, operators will reduce their energy costs. “Most important of all, local people will now benefit from a quieter, smoother and more comfortable journey experience on these wonderful new buses in the months and years ahead. I look forward to seeing them in action and being a customer myself.”
In a ground-breaking partnership, Green Energy Technical Services Ltd (GET Services) has collaborated with the Heart of England Co-operative Society on a pioneering sustainability project at Whittle House in Coventry. This initiative, which commenced on 7 June 2023, demonstrates GET Services' commitment to environmental responsibility and energy optimisation. At the heart of the project is solar energy integration, which has transformed Whittle House's rooftop into a cutting-edge solar powerhouse, generating 81.9 kWp of clean, renewable energy. The installation includes 180 JA Solar 455 W modules, 2 SolarEdge
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inverters (17 kW and 33.3 kW capacities), and 91 SolarEdge Optimisers (P950), meticulously designed for optimal energy conversion. By 17 August 2023, the solar installation had produced 25.53 MWh of clean energy, demonstrating GET Services' commitment to carbon reduction and sustainability. GET Services' collaboration with the Heart of England Co-operative Society has reduced approximately 5,000 kg of CO2 emissions, meeting 57% of the Co-op Head Office's energy needs. This partnership emphasises GET Services' role as a trailblazer in sustainable energy practices, setting an example for others. Furthermore, the Heart of England Cooperative Society is pleased to announce an expanded partnership with GET Services in 2023/2024. Together, they will embark
A waste management and recycling company in Warwickshire is planning for further growth after a 70 per cent increase in its turnover in the past four years. Clews Recycling, which was established in 1999, started life operating Household Waste Recycling Centres for local authorities but has expanded since 2007 and now focuses on its industrial and commercial customers.
Zenobē, an EV fleet and battery storage specialist, is providing Electric-Transportas-a-Service (ETaaS) to National Express Coventry with an end-to-end electrification solution that enables reliability and flexibility. This includes on-board replacement batteries, the charging and grid infrastructure system at the depot, with dedicated rapid chargers, and a software platform which helps monitor and optimise energy use, as well as parts and operational support.
The business runs a fleet of 10 HGV trucks and a waste transfer station on Hunters Lane, Rugby, that handles 25,000 tonnes of waste each year. The waste is sorted into recyclables with value such as metal, cardboard, polythene or into those wastes that have a lower cost of final disposal such as soil, wood and hardcore.
Steven Meersman, Co-Founder and Director of Zenobē, said: “This is an exciting day for this landmark project which shows that with government support, an ambitious operator and the right electrification partner, the switch to zero-emission can happen at scale today. Zenobē have been working with National Express since 2019, and we look forward to continuing to derisk electrification so they can continue to decarbonise whilst providing an excellent passenger experience.”
Since 2019, the business has grown its turnover to nearly £5 million and increased its workforce to 34 members of staff and plans are in the pipeline for a new baler to produce bale refuse derived fuel, fit solar panels on the roof to reduce its energy costs and a shredder for electrical equipment and computer hard-drives.
Ground breaking Solar Project at Whittle House, Coventry Green Energy Technical Services Ltd (GET Services) Partners with Heart of England Co-operative Society for Ground-breaking Solar Project at Whittle House, Leading to Expanded Collaboration in 2023/2024
Clews Recycling’s plans for further growth after 70 per cent turnover increase
on an additional 20 sustainability projects, solidifying GET Services as a trusted partner in advancing environmental goals. In conclusion, Green Energy Technical Services Ltd (GET Services) is playing a leading role in driving sustainable energy practices through its partnership with the Heart of England Co-operative Society. The Whittle House solar installation exemplifies the value of innovative collaborations in achieving ambitious environmental objectives. As the sun powers this endeavour, GET Services is illuminating a path towards a more energy-efficient future for Coventry and beyond.
Clews Recycling has received support from the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub since 2015 – a year after the Growth Hub was launched – receiving grants to buy machinery, recruitment and training.
Richard Clews, Managing Director at Clews Recycling, said: “In 2015, the Growth Hub helped us design and purchase a specialist hopper for lightweight waste, contribute towards mobile plant and assist with the enabling works to pull all the strands together to help us reach recycling rates of between 85 to 88 per cent. “The financial benefits through the grants we have received over the last eight years have made a difference in contributing towards buying capital equipment but it is also great to have someone on your side to listen, make valuable contributions and to want you to be successful – that’s worth its weight in gold.” The firm is training five Ukrainian staff to improve their English so they can undergo forklift truck training and another member of staff is studying for an NVQ level 4 in Waste Management. In April, the firm expanded to take over an adjacent industrial unit next door for WEEE destruction and plant repairs. Craig Humphrey, CEO of the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, added: "Clews Recycling is operating within a sector that is heavily legislated and Government and European directives that apply to the waste sector can sometimes be overbearing. With the help we have given through grants, skills and training, it has led to the company increasing its turnover and increasing jobs which has led to improved productivity and that for me, as the CEO of a business support organisation, is fantastic to see.”
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