As cities across the globe race towards greener transport, Nottingham is firmly on track with its ambitious plan to electrify its bus fleet. Nottingham City Transport (NCT), one of the UK’s leading bus operators, is rolling out 62 battery-electric buses, a significant step in its transition to zero-emission vehicles. This shift, however, has come with a host of challenges, logistical puzzles and unforeseen costs that highlight the complexities of going green in urban transport.
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| routeone Magazine |
NCT’s fleet of Yutong E10s and E12s are being introduced at the company’s Trent Bridge depot, which is centrally located, surrounded by housing, and within walking distance of Nottingham’s bustling city centre. So far, 24 buses have hit the road, with positive feedback from both passengers and drivers. The deployment forms part of the government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme, which has helped cover some of the significant costs associated with infrastructure upgrades and bus procurement.
Trent Bridge depot, once home to Nottingham’s trams and trolleybuses, is now at the forefront of this green revolution. In many ways, this shift to electric buses completes a historical circle for the site. As NCT Managing Director David Astill puts it,
"We are essentially bringing Trent Bridge full circle back to electric power. The big difference, of course, is the need to charge these buses, which presents challenges that our predecessors with trams and trolleybuses didn’t have to face."
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| routeone Magazine |
Initially, NCT didn’t foresee a problem with bringing enough power to the Trent Bridge site. But it soon became clear that the local grid couldn’t provide the juice required for the new fleet.
"We did not initially expect a problem with bringing power in, but it turned out that there was insufficient grid capacity,"
David Astill explains.
"That meant we needed a new connection from 1.5 miles away at a cost of £4 million. ZEBRA covered 75% of that, but we still had to find £1 million ourselves. The biggest issue for us has been unforeseen costs."
Despite the financial strain, NCT has successfully installed a new substation at the Trent Bridge depot, and the infrastructure is future-proofed for more electric buses as the fleet expands. Charging is managed smartly, with a maximum of 120kW per bus, ensuring that electricity is consumed efficiently. To save on costs, buses are charged overnight when electricity is cheaper, thanks to negotiated deals with power suppliers.
Interestingly, although much of the Trent Bridge depot is roofed, NCT hasn’t installed solar panels due to the depot’s Grade 2 listed status, adding another wrinkle to their green plans.
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| routeone Magazine |
The considerable power upgrades raise the question: Why didn’t NCT just relocate to a new, purpose-built site? David Astill has a straightforward answer:
"Finding an alternative site in Nottingham that could accommodate the infrastructure and logistics we need is impossible. Now that we’ve made the investment in Trent Bridge, we’re here to stay."
For NCT, the location itself wasn’t the only challenge. As a historic depot with deep community ties, the move to electrification also came with operational learning curves. The rollout of the first batch of Yutong buses has gone relatively smoothly, but not without minor hiccups.
On day one, a driver accidentally turned off the bus’s regenerative braking system, which significantly increased energy consumption. Thanks to the sophisticated monitoring platform, the issue was identified and rectified quickly.
"The driver feedback on the new electric buses has been overwhelmingly positive," says Astill.
"They appreciate the smoothness of the ride, and the ergonomics of the Yutong cab have been well received. We’ve provided training and handbooks to ensure that all staff are comfortable with the new technology."
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| routeone Magazine |
While NCT has made great strides at Trent Bridge, their larger depot at Parliament Street, located on the outskirts of the city centre, is still awaiting its own electric makeover. The focus there will eventually turn to double-decker buses, but for now, the technology isn’t quite ready for that transition.
"Parliament Street is double-deck dominated, and we are yet to identify a battery-electric double-decker that suits our needs," says Astill.
"For now, we’re concentrating on single-deck deployment at Trent Bridge, learning as we go."
NCT is actively evaluating double-decker battery-electric models, but finding one that meets their high standards—particularly in terms of seating capacity and battery chemistry—has proven difficult.
"We want lithium iron phosphate chemistry on double-deckers, as we have on our single-deckers, and a suitable seating capacity," explains NCT’s Head of Marketing and Projects, Anthony Carver-Smith.
Feedback from trial runs of models like the Yutong U11DD has been positive, and NCT is working closely with manufacturers to fine-tune the specifications for their future double-decker fleet.
"We’d love to have high seating capacity, but realistically we’re probably looking at the low-70s for seats on battery-electric double-deckers," adds Astill.
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| routeone Magazine |
As NCT’s single-deck fleet goes fully electric, attention will shift to the bigger challenges of double-deck electrification. But there’s another big question looming: What will happen to these electric buses once they reach the end of their service life?
Traditionally, NCT has sold its diesel buses to other operators after around 12 years of use. However, the second-hand market for electric buses is still an unknown territory.
"Will operators have the necessary charging infrastructure in place by 2036? We don’t know," says Astill.
"It’s possible that battery-electric buses will serve cradle to grave in Nottingham, but that remains to be seen."
Adding to the complexity is the nature of NCT’s customer base. Around 40% of its passengers have access to a car, and that figure jumps to 60% on certain routes. These passengers are easy to lose, and NCT is acutely aware that they’ll need to maintain a high standard of service throughout the lifespan of these buses to retain their customers.
While the focus is currently on battery-electric vehicles, NCT is also keeping an eye on other green technologies, like hydrogen. However, for the time being, battery-electric buses are the most practical solution for Nottingham’s needs, particularly given the relatively low average speeds on city routes.
The rollout of NCT’s battery-electric buses has been a learning experience, with plenty of takeaways for the future. The biggest lesson? Don’t rush.
"Time is key to a project like this," says Astill.
"You cannot rush it. Leave sufficient space, and don’t think it will be a quick shift. It is not."
As the transition continues, NCT is committed to staying the course. The early results are promising, and the electric buses are performing well, covering relatively low daily mileages on city routes.
"Battery-electric is a perfect fit for urban landscapes like Nottingham," concludes Astill.
"We’re showing that this is not just a possibility—it’s a viable option for the future of public transport."
With government support still a critical factor in the success of zero-emission buses, NCT is hopeful that the transition to battery-electric will continue at a steady pace. For now, the 62 Yutongs represent the start of a greener, cleaner future for Nottingham’s public transport system—and they’re just getting started.
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