McGill's Clocks up 20 Million Zero-Emission Miles with £95M Electric Bus Investment

McGill’s Group is celebrating another key milestone in the electrification of its bus services as it hits a total of 20 million zero-emission miles – the equivalent of 800 times around the globe.

The company, owned by Scottish businessmen Sandy and James Easdale, has introduced more than 200 zero-emission buses throughout its Scottish routes, with Inverclyde and Renfrewshire leading the way with the highest proportion of electric buses in the UK.

The achievement was marked at a special event held at Paisley town centre on Friday (March 6). The company's substantial £95 million investment in both the fleet and its associated infrastructure places McGill’s Bus Group among the top UK companies leading the way in fleet decarbonisation.

Reaching this milestone has significantly contributed to environmental sustainability, with the fleet preventing 22,540 tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. This reduction is equivalent to planting around 2.6 million trees across an area the size of 5568 football pitches.

In support of this initiative, McGill’s Group upgraded the infrastructure at five of its depots around Scotland to facilitate the charging and maintenance of the electric fleet and has undertaken an extensive programme of training to ensure its engineers and staff are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to make the most of the new technology.

For passengers, the electric buses also offer an enhanced experience, featuring a whisper-quiet ride and features including USB charging points on board.

Tony Williamson, chief executive of McGill’s Group, said: “Reaching 20 million zero-emission miles is a hugely significant milestone for our business and a clear demonstration of the scale of the investment we have made in decarbonising our fleet. When we began this journey, our ambition was to lead the way in cleaner, greener public transport – and this achievement shows the real progress that has been made.

“Our £95 million investment in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure has transformed the way we operate our services across Scotland. It is helping to reduce emissions, improve air quality and deliver a quieter, more comfortable journey for the millions of passengers who rely on our buses every year.

“This milestone also reflects the hard work and commitment of our colleagues across the company – from engineers and drivers to the teams who have delivered the depot upgrades and training programmes that make this transition possible. We are proud to be playing our part in building a more sustainable transport network for the communities we serve.”