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Stratford electric Solo trial

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A comparative trial between battery-powered and diesel-powered Optare Solos has been running this week on the Stratford-upon-Avon park-and-ride service, operated by Johnsons of Henley-in-Arden. Key data will be gathered by two local academic institutions. Aston University will focus on the practical findings and Coventry University on the socio-economic impacts.

Emissions, fuel consumption and running costs will be compared for both buses. Coventry University will study the reactions of passengers, pedestrians, motorists and other road users, as well as local businesses and the drivers of the buses. It hopes to identify any significant differences in attitudes towards, the two types of propulsion.

It is expected that publication of the research will provide a sound environmental case and demonstrate commercial viability for the use of electric buses.

Glenn Saint, commercial director of Optare, says: “From this trial we expect to gain constructive experience of the merits of electric buses over conventional diesel, backed by real and substantial measurement of the relative environmental and human impacts.”

The trial is being co-ordinated by sustainability consultants Greenwatt Technology and has been jointly funded by Stratford district council and Stratford Town Trust. At the end of last year Johnsons secured £280,000 from the government’s Green Bus Fund for the purchase of four low-carbon buses for the Stratford park-and-ride service.

www.johnsonscoaches.co.uk

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