Hertfordshire Launches Five More Electric Buses

Uno, the local bus company owned by the University of Hertfordshire, has officially launched the first five of its zero-emission electric buses on its newly branded Electric Shuttle. The five buses, which will run on the route between campuses at the University of Hertfordshire and the site’s park and ride, are the first of 27 being delivered. 

The investment, being delivered under the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) funding scheme, is a collaboration between Hertfordshire County Council, the Department for Transport (DfT) and Uno, which is established through the Intalink Enhanced Bus Partnership. The joint effort is dedicated to improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions across the county.  

While the primary benefit of electric power is the delivery of cleaner air, it also enhances the passenger experience with a smoother, more comfortable ride. Additionally, the buses are quieter, which improves the journey for customers and reduces noise pollution.

Jim Thorpe, managing director for Uno, said: “It was great to come together to celebrate the beginning of a greener, cleaner future for Hertfordshire’s buses. This is a significant milestone for all of us and highlights Uno’s commitment, as well as that of our key partners at Hertfordshire County Council and the DfT, to deliver sustainable, reliable transport for our local communities. Everyone at Uno, along with our parent company the University of Hertfordshire, is delighted to be part of this journey as we look ahead and continue ‘powering up to get down to zero!’ 

The new buses are all single-decks and have been designed with both comfort and capacity in mind. They can accommodate an impressive 93 passengers at any one time, and can clock up an impressvie just over 300 miles before they need to head back to the depot for their next charge. The second batch, which is being ordered over the next few weeks is due to arrive in September of this year, with the final delivery being made in April 2026.