Work ongoing in Athlone to fine tune the buses ahead of their launch.

WATCH: Athlone's electric bus fleet is almost ready to go

Published: Sun 15 Jan 2023, 1:00 PM

Athlone will see the first electric buses on its streets later this month following confirmation from Bus Éireann that the formal launch of Ireland's first fully-electric bus fleet will take place in the town on Friday next, January 20.

⚡️🚍Getting ready for the launch of the new electric bus fleet in #Athlone.

New vinyl wrapping now complete as final touches in place 😻

✅ New EV Fleet
✅ New Depot
✅ New Charging system
✅ Zero Carbon Service
#ClimateActionIRL pic.twitter.com/IpyqfmTDFk
— Department of Transport (@Dept_Transport) January 4, 2023

The project is being funded, and the vehicles procured, by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in collaboration with Bus Éireann. The new fleet is understood to include 11 buses, and the projected cost is estimated to be in excess of €5 million. Bus Éireann has estimated that 60 tonnes of carbon per bus could be saved annually when the switch over to a fully electric fleet is completed.

See full story in this week's Westmeath Independent print edition.