Metroline has put its first battery-electric bus outside of London into service. It comes as part of a renewed agreement with Hertfordshire County Council.
The vehicle is a Switch Mobility Metrocity EV and will work the 30-minute PB1 route from Potters Bar Bus Garage. The vehicle seats 24 and has a claimed range of 150 miles on a single charge.
Charging of the bus will take place overnight at Potters Bar Garage, using the existing power supplies that serve the depot’s other electric vehicles. Charging takes place during low demand to ensure “moderate” energy usage at the garage.
Metroline says it will play a role in driving green ambitions in Hertfordshire.
“We are delighted to be launching our first electric bus outside of London into service on the Route PB1,” says Andrew Hunter, Group Performance and Commercial Development Director, Metroline. “As our first battery-electric bus on Hertfordshire’s roads, we are proud Metroline is able to play a role in making the county more environmentally friendly, and helping to keep the air clean for our customers and residents.
“Over the last three years we have been industry leaders in battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell-electric vehicles, and our engineering teams are experienced in working with zero-emissions, pollution free vehicles, and are confident in maintaining a high quality electric experience for our customers who use the route.”
Metroline currently runs 90 battery-electric vehicles and 20 hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles in the Capital.
