Electric bus fleet could include up to 48 diesels

West Yorkshire's new publicly-owned electric bus fleet could include up to 48 new diesel vehicles, due to delays in the rollout of electric charging points.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) said more work was needed "to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the bus depots we plan to purchase from operators".

Last month, WYCA members approved plans to spend a further £90m on the scheme known as the Weaver Network, after agreeing in October to a deposit of £30m to start production of 193 zero emission vehicles.

The 48 diesel buses will be in addition to the electric fleet but part of the overall funding package, which stands at more than £120m.

A spokesperson for WYCA said: "As part of our latest bus fleet spending agreement, we have made allowances to purchase up to 48 new diesel buses, dependent on negotiations to purchase existing buses from operators.

"We remain committed to a fully-electric fleet in the coming years, and the combined authority will have the option to convert existing vehicles' engines, once the charging infrastructure is available."

Councillor Andrew Cooper, leader of Kirklees Council's Green Party, sits as a political balance member on the authority.

At last month's meeting he raised the issue of the new diesel buses.

He said the fact the region would get a large electric fleet was "really good to hear".

He added: "But there are 48 diesel vehicles there. So just wanting to understand... we are transitioning into Euro 7 as the new standard for diesel.

"Just wondering if our buses are going to be Euro 6 or Euro 7?"

Euro 6 and Euro 7 are European Union vehicle emission standards that place increasingly strict limits on pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates from diesel and petrol engines.

Simon Pope, the authority's transport capital programme director, confirmed the plan.

He said: "You're right. There is a maximum potential order for 48 new diesel vehicles.

"The final number will be determined around our ongoing negotiations around inherited fleet for round two.

"The reason why there is a requirement for some diesel vehicles to be ordered reflects the pace at which we're able to roll out electric charging infrastructure to the depots."

Pope said "as things stand" with the manufacturers the authority has contracts with, a Euro 7 diesel model "wasn't on the market".

But the authority would look to negotiate with those manufacturers to get the most up-to-date model when the final order number was confirmed.

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, who leads WYCA, said: "To reassure the councillor, we want the very best for the people of West Yorkshire. We'll always look to deliver best in class."

The vote to approve funding was passed unanimously without any objections or abstentions.

Round one of the franchised bus network is expected to be up and running in May 2027 and include buses primarily operating in Kirklees, Dewsbury, Huddersfield and parts of Leeds.

Round two will include services mainly covering the Five Towns - Castleford, Featherstone, Knottingley, Pontefract, and Normanton - parts of Leeds and Wakefield, and is expected to be running in early 2028.

WYCA hopes the network will be fully franchised later that year.

The rest of West Yorkshire, including Bradford, Calderdale and parts of Wakefield, will be included in round three.

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