Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach has begun its own drive for zero-emission buses with trials of two battery electric single-deck demonstrators on city route 50.
First to take to the route connecting Churchill Square in central Brighton with Hollingdean, from 16 March, was the wheel forward-layout Wright StreetAir, which has been followed by the 10.8m Londonspecification K8UR from BYD, a vehicle built in China but which is available in the UK with Alexander Dennis Enviro200 bodywork.
‘We are excited to start this electric bus trial so we can see how the vehicles cope with the city’s topography and high passenger volumes,’ says managing director Martin Harris.
‘We foresee that electric will form part of a multi-pronged strategy for a sustainable transport system for the future, and are currently exploring a number of fuel options for the short, medium and long term.’
