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electric buses will plug into Derby

Derby City Council leader Chris Poulter and deputy leader Matthew Holmes with trentbarton’s Jeff Counsell.

Derby City Council leader Chris Poulter and deputy leader Matthew Holmes with trentbarton’s Jeff Counsell.

Government support for the partial funding of eight battery-powered buses has been earmarked for trentbarton after we secured £1.5m from the Department for Transport's Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme. 

We have been trialling an Alexander Dennis/BYD electric bus within our Derby network to get customer feedback. 

Electric buses cost about double a new diesel one but have zero greenhouse gas and other emissions. The Government has allocated £48 million to help bus companies across the UK to cover the cost difference.

trentbarton managing director Jeff Counsell said: "Buses have a vital role to play in keeping our communities moving, now and in the future. 

"Reducing emissions caused by congestion in Derby is going to require significant and joined-up action by a wide range of organisations, including public transport and providers.

"We are committed to playing our part by consistently investing in the newest and cleanest buses.

"The more people travel by bus; the more congestion will reduce and journey times and punctuality can improve. Those are key to an attractive and reliable public transport network. It is very exciting to be bringing electric buses to trentbarton land."

Alongside Alexander Dennis, we took an Enviro200EV electric bus to Derby City Council House to give Council leader Chris Poulter and deputy leader Matthew Holmes a ride into the future. The bus carries up to 60 passengers and has a range of 160 miles when fully charged. 

Councillor Holmes, whose cabinet role includes transport and environmental health, said: "We are committed to making Derby a Clean Air City and it's fantastic to be able to work with trentbarton on driving that commitment forward. 

"I was delighted to be one of the first people to experience the 100% electric bus and I was incredibly impressed. It's smooth, powerful and the facilities on board are first class.

"The range on full charge is amazing at around 160 miles and just shows how far this technology has come in recent years. 

"The Council is absolutely committed not only to investing in and improving sustainable travel options but promoting the use of clean air technology and new vehicles like this tick all the boxes. 

"The challenge now is to ensure we can help support and secure the funding necessary to see a fleet of new generation electric buses across Derby and providing routes to our neighbouring towns and cities."

The grant from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) and the Department for Transport will also pay a contribution towards the vehicle charge stations.