BAE Systems in Rochester will be supporting the supply of electric powered buses in Ireland.

The firm has been selected by bus builder Alexander Dennis Ltd and the Republic of Ireland's National Transport Authority to supply up to 600 electric power and propulsion systems for its new fleet of buses.

It will use its Series-ER system - an electric vehicle propulsion system.

Steve Trichka, vice president and general manager of power and propulsion systems at BAE explains: "This technology gets Ireland closer to zero emission operations, reducing fuel consumption and improving air quality in the areas where its people live, work, and visit.”

Utilising the system, the buses will be able to drive on electric power through designated low and zero emission zones. The system uses global positioning software to enable the buses to run in full electric mode when they enter the zones.

The buses also switch to battery power when the engine is off – eliminating the release of exhaust emissions in populated areas such as near schools, hospitals, and tourist attractions.

BAE's Series-ER technology is already powering more than 200 buses around the world - including in Brighton, Boston and San Francisco.

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