WORCESTERSHIRE County Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for highways has said the authority has held talks on the possible introduction of electric buses.

And Alan Amos said they are willing to work with First Buses and other operators to explore the possibility.

READ MORE: Couple's samaritan act to tackle graffiti in Kempsey

READ MORE: 'Stop cutting down our trees' says Worcester resident

The Worcester News recently reported that First said it has no immediate plans to introduce electric buses into Worcestershire, but had not ruled it out in the future. The paper asked First after the Scottish arm of the company, First Glasgow, recently introduced two environmentally friendly buses on a commercial route for the first time in 50 years. The buses are similar to the ones First Worcestershire has introduced in the county, featuring USB charging points, on-board audio-visual next stop announcements and free wi-fi. But crucially the green buses produce no emissions, compared to their diesel equivalents that produce carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide.

Electric buses have also been trialled elsewhere in England by other bus operators, and last week Herefordshire Council said it was considering spending up to £39m on new electric buses.

Cllr Amos said: “The council has had preliminary discussions about the feasibility of electric buses within Worcestershire and the associated infrastructure that would be required. We would be willing to work in partnership with operators to jointly explore the possibility, including any opportunities for Central Government Funding.”

A First Group spokesman previously said: “We have no immediate plans to introduce electric buses into Worcester as it requires a huge amount of investment to buy, run and maintain. We would certainly support the opportunity to develop plans with Worcestershire County Council.”