Brussels, 19/11/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 19 November, the European Commission authorised an aid scheme for the purchase of low-carbon buses in England.
Under the scheme, the main objective if which is to reduce the CO2 emissions produced by public buses through the introduction of a “Green Bus Fund”, aid may be sought for the purchase of buses capable of achieving at least a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to standard buses. The grants will be awarded on the basis of a bidding procedure. Priority will be given to bids requiring the lowest grant per vehicle. The beneficiaries will be bus operators. A budget of £30 million is to be made available from 2009 to 2011 under the scheme. The Commission found the scheme compatible with EU state aid rules, and in particular with its latest communication on environmental protection. (O.L./transl.rt)