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Green bus technology tested in Bristol
Bristol will soon have a fleet of hybrid electric buses which automatically switch from diesel to electric in areas of the city with poor air quality.
The latest green transport technology will be piloted in the city after securing a Government grant of £1m to purchase the ‘geo-fence’ vehicles.
The technology works by automatically switching diesel-electric hybrid vehicles to zero emissions once it enters a specific GPS location. The trigger zones will be set on the areas with the poorest air quality.
Minister for Transport Baroness Kramer said the scheme is “ground-breaking trial” and it “will make a real difference in improving people’s lives in Bristol”.
Mayor George Ferguson said the grant is “perfect timing” to coincide with the start of Bristol’s year as European Green Capital. He added that “we need to exploit these new technologies” to improve air quality in the city”.
“Air quality improvements improve health and bring a higher standard of living which will contribute further to Bristol’s reputation as the most liveable city in the UK,” he said.
The trial is expected to begin before the end of the summer 2015 and a competition will be run to select the bus operator. The exact area the buses will operate using the geo-fence technology is yet to be decided.
Photo by Ron Ellis / Shutterstock.com
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