A BUS company based in Lockerbie has revealed that it has charged over a quarter of a million miles in just one year amidst efforts to electrify its fleet.
That’s equivalent to ten journeys around the earth for Houston’s Coaches.
They acquired four new electric buses in February last year and installed two charging points at their Annandale depot to support the sustainable transition, with the help of ScottishPower.
As they mark the end of a milestone year, the family firm say they will continue the drive towards a sustainable future.
Since making the switch to electric buses, Houston’s have charged up over 271,000 electric vehicle (EV) miles and thus reduced their CO2 emissions by 37.5 tonnes.
The transition to EVs came on the back of funding received in the first £50 million phase of the Scottish Zero Emissions Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB).
Managing director William Houston said yesterday: “We’re accelerating our sustainable journey with electric buses already having a positive impact within the first year, allowing our customers to conveniently travel more sustainably.
“We’re truly proud to be able to say that we’re innovators who are not willing to let a lack of infrastructure stop us from achieving our sustainability goals. The transformation for our fleet in just one year has been great and we hope our work with ScottishPower inspires others to do the same.
“The support we have received from ScottishPower when applying for funding was invaluable, and we’re looking forward to continuing to work closely with them to explore more green tech including solar panels and battery storage.”
Andrew Mouat, from ScottishPower, added: “Houston’s Coaches has emerged as a leader within their industry through investment in green tech.
“Providing valuable community transport and connectivity services, Houston’s Coaches are helping the customers they serve adopt greener choices as part of their everyday routines.”
Set up in 1975, Houston’s Mini Coaches has depots in Lockerbie and Castle Douglas, with over 60 employees and a fleet of 40.
