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24
Aug 2021
Harrogate Bus Company completes trial of all-electric bus
Harrogate Bus Company has completed trials of the first ever all-electric bus with zero emission technology in the UK.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Ciatro was brought in for trials as part of the company's plans to convert its entire fleet to zero-emission electric power.
It follows an ambitious bid made in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council, which has requested nearly £20 million of government money to help replace the fleet.
The week-long trials have taken place on The Harrogate Bus Company’s popular route one linking Harrogate and Knaresborough and follow experience gained with two alternative electric single deck buses.
The silver E-Citaro trial bus tested in Harrogate is powered by high-performance water-cooled batteries which use up-to-the-minute technology to extend running time between charges and keep the bus on the road.
Alex Hornby, chief executive of Transdev. which owns the Harrogate Bus Company, said:
The bid to the Department for Transport would see 39 zero-emission buses introduced over the next three years.
Read more:
- £20m bid to replace Harrogate buses with electric fleet
- Victoria Road one-way scheme will stop ‘rat run’, says cycle group
The buses come with next stop announcements, USB power and free wifi.
There would be an even split of single-decker and double-decker electric buses which would come with supporting charging infrastructure.
A decision from the government on the bid is expected in March next year.
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