ZEBRA Grant Scheme for Transport for West Midlands - Expression of Interest

The UK Government targets all sectors of the UK economy to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The West Midlands aims to lead the green revolution and become a net zero carbon economy nearly a decade earlier in 2041. In support of these aims, the National Bus Strategy set out plans to support the purchase of 4,000 zero emission buses. The Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme will provide funding to local transport authorities outside of London for this purpose as well as contribute to Department for Transport's (DfT) strategic priorities: grow and level up the economy, reduce environmental impacts and improve transport for the user. Through the ZEBRA scheme the DfT have made available up to £30.4 million in the West Midlands to enable the procurement and deployment of 100 hydrogen fuel cell double deck buses as well as 24 articulated zero emission buses (battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell) to be used on the Sprint Bus Rapid Transit corridor. This funding will also support the procurement and installation of depot located charging infrastructure and/or hydrogen refuelling station (HRS) infrastructure within the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) area. To maximise the outcomes of the project including supporting the local hydrogen economy the fuel cell buses should use green (low carbon), locally produced hydrogen. An initial grant competition for this funding was completed in May 2022. However, a decision has been made to change several of the original grant conditions, namely: - Allowing fuel cell or battery electric solution for the 24 articulated buses. - Removing the deadline for all vehicles to be operational by Q1 2024. - Introducing a requirement for green hydrogen to be supplied from a source within the West Midlands region or adjacent local authority area. Given the materiality of these changes the WMCA is now seeking to understand what bus operators are interested and capable of using this grant funding to deliver all 124 buses and required infrastructure. Expressions of interest should be submitted by 16th May 2023 by way of a document (suggested 3-5 pages in length) responding to the following questions: - Please summarise your approach to delivering the project including; suggested vehicles make and model, bus depot location(s), HRS/ charging infrastructure and hydrogen supply solution? - Please summarise your approach to operating a battery articulated fleet (if being considered) including; service patterns, charging schedules and indicative total annual range capability of fleet? - Timeline for project delivery with key activities and interdependencies. - Previous experience of procuring and operating zero emission buses. - Evidence of engagement with capable suppliers In order to express your interest please do so via the WMCA's BravoSolution e-tendering portal (https://wmca.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html), reference: pqq_179.