A new electric bus service was demonstrated today on a route between Dartford, Greenhithe and Bluewater.

The Volvo7900e will be trialled by Kent County Council for seven weeks across the Fastrack routes in Kent.

Paul Carter, leader of Kent County Council, launched the trial this morning. He said: “The aim of the trial is to try this new innovative electric vehicle technology for ourselves and to show that electric buses with limitless range can work for the county.

“It has great benefits for improving air quality and reducing CO2 emissions which are important to all of us and will allow us to provide evidence that electric vehicles can provide both financial and environmental benefits for the council in the longer term.

“If this proves a success it will allow us to build a case to roll out similar schemes across the county.”

The buses are driven by electric motors and produce no emissions. They can even be re-charged along the routes.

The Twitter account for the bus said: “This trial will allow us to understand the benefits of using electric vehicles and to gather data to help shape the future.”

Passengers will be able to ride the bus across Fastrack route A from tomorrow morning (March 21).