Trials of hybrid buses which automatically switch to zero emissions in areas of poor air quality are set to be launched in Bristol within months after the city secured a £1M grant from Government’s green bus fund.

The city, which has just started its year as European Green Capital, will use the funding to purchase a number of buses equipped with ‘geo-fencing’ technology. This works by automatically switching diesel/electric hybrid vehicles to a green electric mode once they enter a specific GPS location within the city.

The trigger zones will be set on the areas with poorer air quality and Bristol City Council will use the data collected to evaluate the benefits for the city environment and the operational impacts for the bus service.

Mayor of Bristol George Ferguson said: “We need to exploit these new technologies to help us reach a future where we can all enjoy cleaner air, where streets are no longer clogged with traffic, where public transport provides an affordable, quality alternative to the car and it is increasingly attractive to walk and cycle.”

The Council will launch a competition to select a bus operator shortly, in order start the trial before the end of this summer.

♦ Phase two of a Government ultra low emissions vehicles (ULEV) scheme has been launched, with the Department for Transport asking up to 35 public sector organisations to bid for funding from a £5M pot to test their ‘ULEV-readiness’.

The first phase saw 15 government departments launch reviews of their vehicle fleets and will see around 150 vehicles begin to enter fleets from February. The second phase is expected to see more than 200 plug in vehicles introduced to the fleets of other public sector organisations.

(Photo: Bristol City Council)

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