Caerphilly in Wales is set to have the first fully-electric public transport hub in Britain by the end of the year, the council has reported.
This is after the delivery of 16 new electric buses, which the council has said would be a ‘positive step’ towards improving ‘clean, green public transport’.
The agreement for the new buses was made in 2018 in partnership with bus and coach operator Stagecoach along with support from the Cardiff Capital Region Transport Authority and the Welsh Government.
The new electric single-decker buses are expected to go into service later this year. The council says the new electric bus fleet will reduce annual CO2 by more than 572 tonnes compared to diesel buses.
The council’s deputy leader, Cllr Sean Morgan said: “We are working with partners to develop Caerphilly into a green transport hub, with a 16 vehicle fleet of zero emission electric buses earmarked for Caerphilly in 2020 and with ambitions for Caerphilly town to have the first fully-electric public transport hub in Britain.
“The EV charging points, electric buses and plans for an electric bus-train interchange come on top of this Labour administrations climate emergency pledge which has an ambitious target for Caerphilly County Borough Council to become a net zero carbon local authority by 2030.”
He added: “This council does not take short term, sticking plaster decisions. We understand the pressing need for change and our decision-making process always considers the Welsh Governments forward thinking Well Being of Future Generations Act.”
Meanwhile, council has also recently approved a new electric vehicle strategy for the county borough, which outlines plans to provide new electric vehicle infrastructure.
