York to trial electric double decker bus

York will be the first city in the country outside of London to trial a purpose built fully electric double decker bus from today.

Representatives from City of York Council, First York and local bus manufacturer, Optare welcomed the arrival of the first "Metrodecker EV" in York today, which will be trialled on the York Park & Ride network and selected city routes over the next month.

The zero-emission and fully electric bus has the capacity to carry 99 passengers and has a range of nearly 150 miles from one overnight charge.

The new vehicle is being trialled in York following the recent announcement that improvements will be made to the city's already successful Park & Ride scheme.

It was promised that new 'greener' buses would be introduced to improve fuel emissions citywide, placing York's Park & Ride as one of the most sustainable and efficient in the country.

Optare unveiled its long-awaited zero-emission Metrodecker EV in 2016, and with its range projected to rise to 200 miles on a single charge within a year the manufacturer has signalled a move away from its previous mid-day charging strategy.