Aberdeen's world-first hydrogen double-decker buses have been out of service since July 2024 due to a lack of fuel.
The fleet of 25 eco-friendly vehicles, which launched with significant publicity as the future of public transport, has been quietly sidelined.
Both of the city's hydrogen stations are currently offline, leaving the multi-million pound investment unable to operate.
The buses were initially pulled from service when council chiefs shut their main refuelling plant for "life extension" work last summer.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk
The hydrogen buses have been off Aberdeen's roads since July 2024
GETTY
The £8.3million fleet was funded by the European Union and Scottish Government as part of Aberdeen's green transport initiative.
Each double-decker is worth approximately £500,000, representing a significant public investment.
While the buses are parked at the First Bus depot, other hydrogen-powered vehicles in the city's fleet are still operating.
Council vans, road sweepers and waste trucks are dual-fuel vehicles, meaning they have temporarily switched to diesel while the hydrogen supply is unavailable.
Councillor Deena Tissera, Labour's lead on net zero and transport in Aberdeen, has raised concerns about the situation.
She said: "A lot of public money has been invested in this hydrogen strategy, especially on the buses and the refilling stations. We need to know what the story behind this is. Why are the buses not running?"
The buses were launched in 2021 but faced a "mechanical problem" just a year after hitting the road. They returned to service but have been inactive since the refuelling issues began last July.
Speaking to the Press and Journal, Council co-leader Christian Allard defended the city's hydrogen ambitions despite the setback.
He added: "I'm very proud that Aberdeen has always been pioneering in the world in using hydrogen for public transport. But when you are pioneering, there is a risk your success will bring some hurdles.
"Because we are pioneering, because our installations are getting older, we are facing hiccups in replacing parts to make sure they are back in place.
"We managed to work through [ongoing maintenance issues] but we arrived at a point where we found they needed replacement," he said.
The council is now working on a new hydrogen refuelling site for the buses, with hopes the facility will be operational by summer 2025, though it could be autumn before the world-famous buses return to Aberdeen's streets.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- Diesel vehicles threaten 2030 car ban deadline amid serious emissions fears - 'A real problem'
- BP slammed for slashing electric car targets which could have 'deadly consequences' for 'thousands of people'
- A1 crash: Man, 20, charged over horror accident that saw seven police officers rushed to hospital
The hydrogen buses were first launched in 2021
LOW EMISSION ZONES SCOTLAND
A spokesperson for Firstbus confirmed the situation, stating: "I can confirm our hydrogen buses have been off the road since July 2024. They will be operating as normal as soon as a regular hydrogen fuel supply is restored at the refuelling station."
Aberdeen City Council backed the programme, saying it was proud of the work being done to slash emissions with the hydrogen buses.
