Bluestar, which is part of the Go-Ahead Group, has demonstrated a BYD ADL Enviro400EV battery-electric double-decker bus to representatives of Hampshire County Council (HCC) in Winchester.
The bus was taken to The Great Hall in the city as part of that work. Bluestar Managing Director Andrew Wickham (pictured, centre left) says that the operator is “excited by the potential” than an electric bus fleet offers in terms of an impact on air quality.
Mr Wickham adds: “This is an excellent time, as we emerge from lockdown restrictions, to look at new ways to help lower emissions across the region. Buses – especially electric buses – are the perfect solution for this.”
Among those members of HCC that inspected the bus were Executive Lead Member for Economy, Transport and The Environment Cllr Rob Humby (pictured, left), Executive Member for Highways Operations Cllr Russell Oppenheimer (pictured, right), Executive Member for Climate Change and Sustainability Cllr Jan Warwick (pitured, centre right) and Chair of the Economy, Transport and Environment Select Committee Cllr Stephen Philpott.
Says Cllr Humby: “It was very encouraging to see this advance in bus development and to experience travel on a more sustainably powered public transport vehicle.
“We appreciate that the investment by bus operators in electric buses will be significant, but the benefits for the environment and the contribution to combatting climate change will more than justify this. I look forward to seeing diesel-powered buses across Hampshire being replaced by electric buses in the years to come.”
