Aberdeen’s hydrogen bus dream ends with £14m price tag

Aberdeen’s ambitious hydrogen bus project—once hailed as a glimpse into the future of public transport—has come to an expensive halt, with new figures revealing the fleet cost nearly £14m.

The city’s pioneering scheme, which introduced 25 hydrogen-powered double-decker buses, was intended to position Aberdeen as a global leader in clean transport. But after years of challenges, the project has now been scrapped in favour of electric vehicles.

A Freedom of Information request has confirmed the total cost of the fleet at around £13.9m—raising questions about the long-term viability of hydrogen as a transport solution.

Despite the promise, the buses had been out of service since September 2024 due to ongoing issues with refuelling infrastructure. With reliability concerns mounting, the council ultimately decided to pull the plug earlier this year.

The move reflects a wider shift across the industry. While hydrogen has long been touted as a zero-emission fuel, many operators are now turning to battery-electric buses, thanks to rapid improvements in range, efficiency and charging technology.

Across Scotland, electric fleets are already expanding, offering lower running costs and greater reliability—key factors in their growing appeal.

Hydrogen still holds potential in sectors like aviation and heavy transport, but challenges remain—particularly around energy efficiency and production methods.

For Aberdeen, the end of its hydrogen bus experiment marks a significant turning point: from global pioneer to a cautionary tale in the fast-evolving race for clean transport solutions.