Transport for London is planning to trial hybrid buses that can wirelessly recharge their batteries while they wait at bus stops next year.
Up to four vehicles are set to be tested in east London from next year that feature a diesel-electric hybrid engine and built-in inductive charging.
The Alexander Dennis Enviro400H E400 buses will operate on route 86 between Canning Town and Walthamstow bus stations.
The inductive charging technology will be built into the bus stops, which means the buses can run for longer using only their batteries.
TFL hopes introducing the charging system will mean less environmental damage, noise and vibration volumes as well as lower running costs.
Mike Weston, TfL’s director of buses, said: "This trial of extended range diesel electric hybrid buses, utilising the latest inductive charging technology, could be a step closer to getting even cleaner double deck buses on London’s streets. We will be closely monitoring the results of the trials, which may help us adopt this new cleaner technology more widely in London."
The new buses have been built by vehicle supplier Alexander Dennis, IPT Technology and Siemens and have been part funded by a wider European Programme called Zero Emissions Urban Bus Systems.
The buses aren’t the first of their kind to operate in the UK. Back in January, Milton Keynes introduced a fleet of eight wirelessly charged electric buses
The announcement comes after TfL introduced two buses with free Wi-Fi as part of a trial that could eventually roll out across the bus network.
