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It seems everything is becoming more and more “green” these days, and that also includes the public transportation system. Electric cars are gaining in... Buses Going Green In The UK

It seems everything is becoming more and more “green” these days, and that also includes the public transportation system. Electric cars are gaining in popularity due to the positive effect they have on the environment, and now a select route in the UK is going to try out a line of electric buses. Starting late this month, a total of 8 electric buses will be operating along the Number 7 Route through the Milton Keynes area. It is estimated that 800,000 passengers travel this route each year. The buses will run for the next 5 years as part of a trial experiment being conducted by companies Mitsui and Arup. If this trial succeeds, they hope to have electric buses all across the UK and further protect the environment in that way.

Buses Going Green In The UK

How Does An Electric Bus Line Work?

The buses will be charged through what is known as inductive charging. Each night, they will all be charged while in the bus depot. Then, before and after each route, they will receive a quick “booster charge”. Through specialized plates located in the road at the beginning/end of routes, the buses will be able to receive a quick charge to get them to their next stop.

Though this is the first electric bus line in the UK, other electric buses are running in locations such as Italy, Germany, The Netherlands, and South Korea.

It seems natural that if electric buses are as successful as their non-green counterparts that more and more countries should begin using them. What do you think of electric buses? Do you count them as reliable as gas-powered buses? Do you even think we should bother with switching the modes of public transportation?

I do have to ask, though – what happens if a bus loses its charge in between charging spots? Does it carry a portable charging device on board? If not, that could soon become detrimental.

[Image via insideevs]

SOURCE: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25621426