Electric Bus Batteries Limit Service to Mid-Afternoon, Company Seeks Charging Points

A transport firm has requested a local council to set up charging stations, as its electric buses are only operational until “mid-afternoon” due to battery depletion. Paul Critchley, who serves as the director of Blackburn Private Hire, stated that his company acquired two used electric buses and became the initial operator in Lancashire to deploy them for a scheduled service. These electric vehicles operate on a route connecting Highercroft and Blackburn town centre. However, their usage is restricted by battery capacity, as Mr Critchley noted the absence of charging infrastructure along this path. Blackburn with Darwen Council has been contacted regarding this matter. “The battery only lasts at the moment until mid-afternoon and then we have to bring it off-service and put a diesel back on,” Mr Critchley explained. He added, “But we’re hoping to get chargers put into town, which should hopefully last all day.” Mr Critchley mentioned that both passengers and operators “loved” the electric buses, which have a new purchase price of approximately £300,000. He further stated that the acquisition of these electric vehicles reflects his company’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its goal of achieving “zero emissions.” In other parts of Lancashire, substantial investments in technologies aimed at reducing carbon emissions are anticipated, partly supported by funding from the government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA2) scheme. Preston is slated to acquire 10 new electric buses. Following a £20 million allocation under the identical scheme in 2022, Blackpool is expected to introduce its own electric buses next year. Blackpool Transport plans to substitute its existing fleet with 115 electric buses over the next few years.