Cleaner air for Norwich: Electric buses help to cut nitrogen oxide levels
Norwich is benefitting from improved air quality thanks to the introduction of 76 fully electric buses.
Since their introduction in October 2023, monitoring has shown a downward trend in the quantity of nitrogen dioxide in the air, with the latest data showing 16.5 NO₂ µg (Nitrogen Dioxide in micrograms per metre cubed) for May 2025. This is the lowest figure seen since monitoring began in July 2023.
While there will always be some seasonal variations, air quality monitoring on Castle Meadow has seen a reduction in NO₂ levels for eight of the last eleven months.
Councillor Graham Plant, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport, said; “After all the hard work put into bringing these buses to Norfolk, it’s great to see the impact the switch to electric can have for our environment. These new electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions which means a cleaner, greener environment for people to live, work and enjoy. With the Roundtree Way depot now operating a fully electric fleet, Norfolk really is a leader in sustainable public transport in the East of England.”
The first electric buses arrived in October 2023, with 70 on the roads by April 2024. This introduction has meant that over half of the Norwich network operated by First Bus is now electric. That is over 60% of all bus journeys through Castle Meadow in the city centre.
Since then, First Bus has also secured the contract for operating the Norwich Park & Ride services from Thickthorn, Airport and Sprowston sites. These are all being operated by electric buses, bringing the total number of zero emission vehicles on the network to 76.
Piers Marlow, Managing Director of First Bus East of England, said: “These figures are a clear sign that zero-emission transport can play a significant role in creating cleaner, healthier places for people. We're incredibly proud to see the investment in electric buses and depot infrastructure already delivering meaningful benefits for Norwich. This is a milestone we’ve achieved through strong partnership with Norfolk County Council, and together we’re continuing to drive positive change for the region.”
The vehicles and transformation of the bus depot at Roundtree Way were made possible when First Bus and Norfolk County Council secured an investment of £14.7m from the Department for Transport's Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) government funding. The grant is matched with around £23m of funding by First Bus. The new zero-emission vehicles have replaced diesel on key routes including the Pink, Red, Orange, and Blue lines.
Councillor Serene Shibli Sexton, local member for Mancroft division which includes Castle Meadow said;
“This is great step forwards and an important improvement for Norwich. Cleaner air means healthier lives. These buses are not only quieter and more efficient—they’re helping us build a greener, more sustainable city for all.”
Each electric bus is estimated to save around 75 tonnes of CO₂ annually compared to its diesel counterpart and Norfolk County Council is committed to bringing even more to Norfolk. £4.7 million has been allocated in the 2025/26 Bus Service Improvement Plan budget to work with operators to introduce more zero-emission vehicles to the Norfolk bus network.