A TRIAL for electric buses in Winchester is set to take place this year.

Winchester City Council is hoping to be able to integrate electric buses into the park and ride services.

However, a shortage of electric vehicles, worldwide, delayed the trial.

Cllr Kelsie Learney, cabinet member for climate emergency, updated the city council at the full meeting on January 18.

READ MORE: Hydrogen powered bus makes appearance in Winchester city centre

In response to a question from Cllr Jane Rutter, Cllr Learney said: “Our intention is that a trial of an electric bus can be started in the spring. However, we are advised that there is a worldwide shortage of electric vehicles which has made it very difficult to obtain one in order to undertake the planned trial. However, Stagecoach has been extremely helpful in obtaining a suitable bus, from Sweden, in order to undertake a trial as part of the park and ride service in Winchester. 

“The intention is to integrate the electric bus into the park and ride service as soon as it arrives. This will be helpful in terms of assessing how electric buses perform as part of the park and ride and the infrastructure needed to support them and as such inform future decisions about park and ride bus provision. We will arrange an opportunity for members to ride on the new bus once it arrives.”

Cllr Malcolm Wallace, Green Party member, said: "Traffic is the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Winchester, with the latest data showing that transport makes up 57 per cent of all CO2 emissions in the district. The electric bus trial should be an exciting step towards decarbonising our public transport.  Not only helping us to reduce our carbon footprint, but also improving local air quality.

"However, a lot more is needed going forward.  In their draft Local Transport Plan, Hampshire County Council stated that national policies on moving to zero emission vehicles won’t get us far enough quickly enough, and a 10 per cent reduction in car use is required between 2019 and 2030. Achieving this goal requires a coordinated response across all aspects of local transport (walking, cycling, trains and buses) to ensure that residents have improved options available for getting around. So, electric buses will be a step in the right direction, but there's a long way to go."

Last year, a hydrogen-powered bus was on display outside the Guildhall.