Leeds is Electrifying, As 57 Zero Emission Buses Take to the Roads!

Cleaner air, quieter streets and comfortable journeys – there are a lot of reasons to love the new electric fleet from First Bus.

Bus travel is one of the most sustainable ways to get around, and it just got even greener thanks to First Bus’ new all-electric buses. 57 battery-powered buses have entered the network, helping passengers get from A to B without producing any air pollution. It’s a huge move, and one that takes the region closer to its goal of being net zero carbon by 2038. Here’s everything you need to know.

Keep an eye out for the all-electric fleet

57 zero-emission buses have been added to the First Bus West Yorkshire service, making a third of the fleet operating from Bramley depot fully-electric! It’s the latest game-changing move from First Bus, who are constantly looking for ways to be more sustainable while encouraging more people to travel by bus, and will have a huge impact in reducing traffic-related air pollution in the region.

It’s a move that makes a big difference. Each electric bus will save over 50,000 tons of carbon emissions over its lifetime – that’s the equivalent of flying from London to New York 50,000 times! The state-of-the-art buses are designed to go the extra mile, with a huge 150-mile range before they need charging back up – that’s like running 575 laps of the pitch at Elland Road!

It’s not just the electric fleet either. First Bus are also making the depots themselves more sustainable, installing solar panels at 20 sites including Hunslet Park in Leeds. These solar panels will generate more than 2 million kWh of renewable energy a year – enough to power 700 family homes. It’s all part of the First Bus 2035 Zero Emission Mission – which we’re well on track for.

Have an electric day out in Leeds

So, where will the brand new electric bus take you? Hop on with the kids and you can hurtle into the city centre and head to the Merrion Centre for a high-adrenaline drift karting session. Drift Stop is a one-of-a-kind karting experience that uses electric karts on an indoor e-drift track. It’s like a real-life game of Mario Kart – and unlike traditional karting, it’s completely emission free.

Keep the surge flowing with a trip to Electric Shuffle. This industrial chic bar is redefining the game of shuffleboard, switching up the table-top game into a high-tech, social-first experience that uses camera tracking technology to follow the puck. Throw in a great selection of craft beers and cocktails – which can be ordered to your table at the touch of a button – and you’ve got one heck of a party.

The fun does’t stop there, oh no! Once you’ve shuffled your way to victory, walk across to Electric Press. This Grade II-listed building was once a hub of industry, but today it’s a hive of leisure and entertainment. Grab cocktails at Be At One, enjoy authentic Greek food at Tavernaki and even wield axes at Whistle Punks. And if you’ve got the energy to carry until the early hours, Playroom has you covered.