Electric buses withdrawn over 'technical failures'

First Bus has withdrawn 30 buses from its fleet in Glasgow after "technical failures".

The issue was raised in December with affected vehicles now temporarily replaced by ultra-low emission diesel buses from across the UK.

They were part of an order of 50 electric buses in 2023, with batteries designed to run for over 370km (229 miles) from a single three-hour charge.

BBC Scotland understands that the problem is not linked to the batteries or electric vehicle technology and no safety risk is posed.

Passengers noticed the change when buses from Lanarkshire, Yorkshire and Leicester were spotted at a bus depot in Glasgow.

A First Bus spokesperson said: "We have identified a technical failure in 30 buses and all affected buses have been taken off service until it can be resolved.

"We are working closely with the manufacturer Alexander Dennis to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

"Our team have worked incredibly hard to reallocate low emission zone (LEZ) compliant Euro VI buses from our fleet across the UK."

The electric vehicles were built by Alexander Dennis at its manufacturing base in Larbert at a cost of £19.7m.

A spokesman for Alexander Dennis said: "A structural issue has been identified on some BYD AD Enviro200EV electric buses built in 2021.

"The affected vehicles have been removed from service as a precaution. Alexander Dennis is fully supporting the customer and, along with BYD as the relevant component manufacturer, has developed a rectification which is being applied to all affected vehicles to resolve the issue."

First Bus said the vehicles would make the Glasgow fleet emission free, saving "over 3,000 tonnes of CO2e per year as they replace older diesel buses".

Funding was supported by Transport Scotland through its Scottish zero emission bus (ScotZEB) funding.

Rapid charging points were also installed at the First Bus Caledonia and Scotstoun depots.

Alexander Dennis has been approached for comment.