The UK’s first long-distance coach route using an electrically-powered vehicle is being trialled by FlixBus.

The bus operator is trying the new vehicles out on a route between London, Bristol and Newport between March and June this year. It said the vehicle will save 352kg of carbon emissions per day driven on this route compared to the average diesel-fuelled coach. This equals a reduction of more than 21 tonnes of CO2 over the course of the pilot.

The electric vehicle (EV) has a battery rating of 282kWh, and will be charged using “ultra-fast state-of-the-art chargers” at a Transport UK London Bus depot in Battersea in London and Newport Transport’s headquarters in South Wales.

FlixBus UK managing director Andreas Schorling said: “This is a huge step forward for the UK coach sector, transforming the already low-carbon mode of transport to zero-emission at the tailpipe through innovative technology.

“As the first electric long-distance coach service in England and Wales, we’re sending a...