Warwickshire News Mine

Commissioned by operator Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel, tests were carried out at the County Council’s Park and Ride in Stratford-upon-Avon to compare Britain’s first full-size battery-powered bus, the Optare Solo EV, and its conventional diesel-engined equivalent.

The aim of the project was to address air and noise pollution on congested town streets. Data has being gathered by two local academic institutions - Aston University on the practical findings and Coventry University on the socio-economic and environmental impacts.

Cllr Alan Cockburn, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment and Economy, said: “We are extremely pleased that the increasingly popular Park and Ride facility in Stratford was the focal point for such an important trial of this green transport innovation.

“While we already actively encourage environmentally friendly transport, we sincerely hope that electric buses with zero emissions could be become an established part of public transport in the future.”

During the trial emissions, fuel consumption and running costs were compared for both the diesel and the electric vehicle. Identical in design and appearance, the main difference is in the engineering, resulting in an electric bus that has zero emissions and does not emit potentially harmful fumes or gases.

It is expected that publication of the research will provide a sound environmental case and demonstrate commercial viability for the use of electric buses, as well as creating a bank of practical advice for operators.

Stratford Park and Ride is a Warwickshire County Council scheme. It forms a key element of Warwickshire County Council’s Local Transport Plan which, over the next five years, seeks to improve people’s access to services and facilities while managing the impact on society, the environment, our economy and resources.

The electric bus trial was co-ordinated by South Warwickshire sustainability consultants Greenwatt Technology and has been jointly funded by Stratford District Council and Stratford Town Trust.  The trial was in operation between July 19 and 24.

Based in Henley-in-Arden, Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel has been awarded a Green Bus Fund grant of £280,000 by the DfT for the purchase of alternatively fuelled vehicles.

Link to WCC