First Glasgow have announced that they will be bringing electric buses back to the streets of Glasgow - the first time since the 1960s. 

The two electric vehicles are funded as part of the SP Energy Networks' £20 million Green Economy Fund, which supports the city's bid to become the UK's first net-zero emissions city by 2030. 

They will be seen operating on the M3 route before the end of the month, connecting communities in Milton, Springburn, Stobhill Hospital and the city centre. 

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is welcoming the two new busses to the city. She said: "It is a real pleasure to see First launch their fully electric buses in Glasgow, following funding from SP Energy Networks.

"Scotland was one of the first countries to acknowledge that we are facing a global climate emergency and we have legislated for the most ambitious carbon reduction target of any country in the world.

"A key part of our plans is encouraging greater use of public transport as well as phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles."

 

"It's so great to see First and SP Energy Networks playing their part in helping us to achieve our goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2045."

The new M3 electric buses, built by Alexander Dennis in Falkirk, have the latest mirrorless smartvision technology, which removes the need for wing mirrors, helps reduce blind spots for drivers and even helps to reduce the effects of bad weather on their vision via the "state-of-the-art" CCTV system.

Andrew Jarvis, managing director for First Glasgow is backing the environmental impact the busses will make in the city: "Every customer journey on the route will save around 2kg of CO2 compared with driving on your own in an average car, making bus the best choice in reducing the impact on the planet.

"As a business, one of our main goals is to make buses part of the solution when it comes to improving air quality in the city. We've already invested £31 million in the last two years.

"By working with Glasgow City Council and Transport Scotland, we plan to make great strides forward in doing our bit to improve the city's air quality and making Glasgow a cleaner and greener place to live and work."