Optare looking to an electric future for buses 08 November 2012

Optare, has reaffirmed the company's position on electric power for buses, stating that it will bring the technology to market on a larger scale throughout the UK.

Speaking at Euro Bus Expo show at the NEC yesterday (Wednesday 7 November 2012), Optare CEO Jim Sumner said: "Electric bus technology will dominate post-Euro 6."

And he explained: "We are picking up strong feedback from operators that the costs and complexity of the new regulations give them cause for concern. [Diesel engines] are not the direction that some of them want to go in."

Sumner added that he believes there subsidised growth will be ongoing in the UK.

He also revealed that the company's own electric bus – the only one of its kind in operation in the UK (in Coventry) – has been shortlisted for the Society of Motor Manufacturers' Innovation Award.

The bus manufacturer's stand at the Birmingham event featured an electric bus – alongside three other new buses – and Sumner emphasised the importance of using alternative propulsion systems in the bus market.

Author
John Challen

Related Companies
Optare plc

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