Big Bus Tours has announced significant strides in its continued commitment to sustainability by moving towards electric fleet and championing eco-friendly practices.
In 2017, Big Bus Tours began its eco-conscious journey by introducing its first electric test bus to the bustling streets of Paris. Fast forward to the summer of 2023, and the company has made remarkable progress, with a total of nine fully electric buses now touring the city of Paris. With this, the Big Bus Paris depot is now undergoing a full conversion to incorporate an electric charging facility, capable of charging 34 EV sightseeing buses. The anticipated switch on is due later this month and will mark a big milestone in their transition to becoming a greener, more sustainable business.
Expanding their commitment to environmentally friendly practices, Big Bus Tours is set to introduce two brand-new electric vehicles to its Vienna operation. But that’s only the beginning for Austria’s capital, as the company has also placed orders for an additional 20 electric vehicles to be rolled out in Vienna and Paris, scheduled for delivery in June 2024.
With a vast global fleet of more than 400 buses across 26 cities and four continents, Big Bus Tours acknowledges the importance of retrofitting existing vehicles to align with their sustainability objectives. Collaborating with UK-based Equipmake, they have initiated the conversion of their London fleet, with the first ten bus conversions expected to be in service by early 2024. A further 10 conversions are scheduled for mid-2024, bringing the Big Bus London fleet to a total of 20 electric buses.
By the close of 2024, more than 25% of Big Bus’s core fleet will be zero emissions, making a substantial contribution towards emission reduction around the globe and promoting sustainable tourism.
Pat Waterman, Chairman at Big Bus Tours, said, “We take immense pride in leading the charge towards electric vehicles in the sightseeing industry. Our commitment to sustainability is not just words, we are taking concrete actions to ensure a cleaner and greener future for our customers, future generations and our planet.”
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