Bio-ethanol - Improving your air quality

We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously and we are determined to help you to do your bit in tackling climate change. Most vehicles release harmful greenhouse gases such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2),Nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbon into the atmosphere. That's why we’re investing in the latest fuel technologies to improve Reading’s air quality. 

What is Reading Buses doing to help reduce harmful emissions and tackle climate change?

From 26th May, Premier Route 17 will run using Bio-ethanol – a fuel made from sugar waste. These buses are ultra-low emission vehicles and produce an amazing 80% less carbon dioxide (CO2) than a conventional diesel-powered bus.
 
Our joint investment with Reading Borough Council for these 14 bio-ethanol buses will bring about a massive change in Reading’s transport. Premier Route 17 will be run on Bio-ethanol and is the world’s first double-decker fleet to run using this fuel. This is a new venture for the UK but you may not know that the first ethanol buses started in operation during 1985 in Stockholm where there are now over 500 ethanol buses in operation.

So just what is Bio-ethanol?

Bio-ethanol is not a new fuel. It is a renewable fuel made from Sugar beet, and is essentially the waste from producing liquid sugar. It is produced in the UK at a plant in Wissington, Norfolk. This was built on a brownfield site so it has not harmed any land or taken away from other food production.  We believe that this kind of sustainable bio-fuel has a role to play in providing our future public transport needs.

What about the rest of Reading Transport's buses and coaches?

The rest of our buses and coaches are run on a Bio-diesel mix which produces 5% less carbon emissions than an ordinary diesel bus. And you can do your bit too… by travelling together in a bus rather than in individual cars, there would be a lot less traffic, emissions and pollution. 

Next stop: Helping you tackle climate change

If you aren’t travelling on Premier Route 17 and want to find out how else you can help the environment and cut your carbon footprint click here.