Coach firm to build 'green' bus

Alexander Dennis is the UK's largest bus and coach manufacturer

Falkirk-based bus builder Alexander Dennis is aiming to develop the world's most advanced clean air coach.

The firm is using hybrid technology to build single and double-decker buses which are energy efficient and cause only low levels of pollution.

The buses are powered by a combination of a diesel engine and an electric drive motor, managed by a computer.

The bus regenerates the power it creates, as excess energy is channelled back into the vehicle's battery.

Researchers hope to eventually develop a bus which can run with zero emissions - storing enough self-generated energy to switch to running completely on electric power after it covers a certain distance.

'Revolutionary solution'

The company's chief executive, Colin Robertson, said: "Our goal is to produce a bus that can reduce emissions dramatically, increase fuel economy and meet the durability requirements of demanding city and rural operations.

"At the same time, it must ultimately be affordable.

"We have been working to achieve these principles for the past three years and now believe we have the know-how to bring a revolutionary solution to the challenge of clean-vehicle technology and price compatibility."

Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL), based in Falkirk, is now in discussions with Scottish Enterprise and hopes to secure £3.5m in support funding to take its research and development forward.

They hope to introduce trial vehicles in London in 2008 and prove the technology works by 2009.

Stewart Stevenson, transport, infrastructure and climate change minister, visited ADL headquarters on Tuesday.

He said: "The new hybrid technology which Alexander Dennis is developing for the bus industry is exciting and will help Scotland make an even greater contribution to our goal of reducing emissions."