Aberdeen scraps 25 hydrogen buses after £8.3 million spend, no cost comparison with electric alternatives
By Eve
Aberdeen City Council has abandoned its fleet of 25 hydrogen double-decker buses after they sat unused for over a year due to fuel shortages, following a £8.3 million investment from Scottish Government, council and European funds over five years. The council admitted it held no data comparing costs between the hydrogen fleet and battery-electric buses, despite studies showing electric buses are up to three times cheaper to run. A freedom of information request revealed the council could not provide the original justification for choosing hydrogen over electric or any cost comparisons since the decision.
Why it matters: The case highlights procurement risks when authorities invest in alternative fuel infrastructure without baseline cost analysis against proven electric options. Councils and operators planning fleet transitions can use this as a cautionary example of the importance of total cost of ownership modelling and fuel supply security before committing capital.