Investments in electric buses have saved Bermuda $222,000 per bus in place of diesel, the Minister of Transport said yesterday.

Wayne Furbert added that through further reduced dependency on fossil fuels, the Government had saved $176,000 this year and reduced air pollution by 440 tonnes.

The information comes as the island last month crossed the one-year mark of having electric buses on the island.

Mr Furbert said: “The feedback from the people of Bermuda has been overwhelmingly positive. The electric buses are more comfortable, quieter and have improved the overall public transportation experience.

“We are proud to provide a more sustainable, efficient and convenient mode of transportation for the public.

“We will continue to work towards expanding and improving our public transportation system, which of course is signified by the next set of 40 electric buses arriving in groups of ten from July 2023.“

Mr Furbert said that the Department of Public Transport was also awarded the Best E-Mobility Project Award at the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum nest week.

He said that winners in the CREF, according to its host, New Energy, were leaders who are “making a lasting impact on the development of resilient and renewable energy systems in the region”.

Mr Furbert said that the award was “a significant accomplishment for the department and Bermuda, and a testament to our commitment towards a more sustainable future”.

He added: “The department’s e-mobility initiative was selected from a pool of highly competitive projects, and we are honoured to be recognised as a leader in this field.

“This award is a recognition of our collective efforts towards a more sustainable future, and we will continue to work tirelessly towards achieving our goals.”

Mr Furbert said that the introduction of the buses had reduced Bermuda’s carbon footprint and improved air quality overall.

He added that residents and visitors applauded the buses for being a “more comfortable and quieter” upgrade from the previous diesel makes.

A new fleet of 40 more electric buses is expected to reach the island in July.