Bus Electrification Plan Proposed for £11 Million in Sheffield
Sheffield City Council is making strides in improving air quality within the city, with significant reductions in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels observed across the wider Sheffield Clean Air Plan area. An average drop of 21% in NO2 levels has been recorded, and the introduction of zero-emission buses could further reduce the number of locations exceeding the legal limit.
The council's efforts have yielded positive results, with all but five locations now under the annual average legal limit for air quality. One of the most notable improvements has been within the Arundel Gate Bus Gate, where a 27% reduction of NO2 levels has been observed.
Sheffield City Council aims to convert its entire bus fleet to electric, but this requires significant government financial help. The council is working closely with ministers and South Yorkshire's mayor, Oliver Coppard, to secure funding for this transition. In support of this goal, the council has proposed a fund worth more than £11m to help bus operators transition to electric buses.
The proposal received approval from the UK government, and £11.3m is now being made available to scheduled bus operators in Sheffield to deliver zero-emission buses. Ben Miskell, chair of the transport, regeneration, and climate policy committee at Sheffield City Council, stated that the introduction of more electric buses will be a significant step towards cleaning the air and improving the passenger experience.
The launch of the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in Sheffield in February 2023 has also contributed to the improvements in air quality. Since its implementation, the average NO2 levels within the zone have reduced by 16%.
For more information about the council's clean-air initiatives and efforts, visit www.cittiawards.co.uk. The fourth annual CiTTi Awards will be held on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London to recognise achievements and innovations in transport planning.
However, it is not yet clear when Sheffield City Council plans to implement electric buses or whether it has made successful efforts to secure funding for switching from diesel to electric buses. The previous government's bus retrofit scheme failed, and it remains to be seen how the council will proceed with its ambitious plans for a greener and cleaner Sheffield.
