An electric double deck demonstrator will be trialled by Reading Buses on the purple 17 route between Wokingham Road and Tilehurst between July 9-18.

Robert Williams, Reading Buses Chief Executive Officer, said: “Electric technology is reaching a point where we can see that some urban services could reliably be converted to battery electric vehicles in the near future. 

“We are teaming up with manufacturers BYD and Alexander Dennis to give their latest London double decker a try to gather as much real-life data as possible from running the bus in Reading.”

The bus is guaranteed to achieve at least 160 miles between charges, and whilst some routes cover over 250 miles in a day, Reading Buses say urban routes like the purple 17 fit well within the lower limit.

The trial comes as Reading Borough Council submit a bid to the government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area fund, with the support of Reading Buses.

The aim is to obtain funding to cover the cost of upgrading future urban bus orders from diesel to zero emission electric buses – including the significant charging facilities that would be required.

If successful, Reading Buses say the first orders could be placed in 2022/23.