Dozens of zero-emission electric buses ordered by the National Transport Authority 18 months ago are not yet in service, partly due to delays in installing charging infrastructure at two Dublin bus depots.
Although the first electric double-decker buses to be added to the national fleet are not yet in service, the NTA told Prime Time that ten of the electric buses ordered in June 2022 are now being used for test and training purposes in Dublin. Issues with obtaining planning permission for the charging infrastructure at the Phibsborough and Summerhill bus depots delayed the NTA and Dublin Bus installing them.
Before the buses could be registered, the vehicle manufacturer had to provide certification following vehicle testing and approval, which also partially added to the delay. However, he said the biggest problem is that across Europe, there are between seven and nine million trucks and buses. Mr Haugneland said it"quite surprising and even shocking" that there are so few electric buses in service in Ireland.