Kent County Council (KCC) has signed a 15-year contract to provide a fully-electric transport service.

The existing diesel-powered Thameside Fastrack buses which cover Dartford and Gravesend will be replaced with a fleet of 28 clean-energy vehicles.

The brand-new buses are set to be rolled out between November this year and April 2025.

KCC says the deal will provide a reliable connection for those living in north Kent and promote the use of public transport as a more sustainable form of travel.

The government had previously announced that the council’s £9.5 million bid to introduce a new fleet of electric vehicles in Dartford, Gravesham and Dover as part of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme had been successful.

An exclusive year-long trial of the electric bus on the Fastrack network took place in Dartford at the beginning of 2022.

Neil Baker, cabinet member for highways and transport said: “This is an exciting time for users of our Kent Thameside Fastrack service as we upgrade our fleet to new electric models.

“With the added security of a 15-year contract, passengers can be confident that this service is here to stay.”

On-street electric vehicle charging points for the buses will be provided by VEV, a company that is owned by Vitol – a world leader in energy.

VEV’s CEO, Mike Nakrani said: “The council were clear that the charging solution could not impact the bus rapid transit (BRT) schedule and it had to work within the space and power constraints at the depot.

“The innovative pantograph chargers provided the solution, safely charging away from the depot while passengers board.

“This ground-breaking project exemplifies the transformative potential when public and private entities unite to build a greener, more connected future.”

Spanish-based bus manufacturer Irizar will be producing the selected ie-Tram vehicles, which will be operated by Go Ahead London on a day-to-day basis.

“This is a clear testament to the confidence placed in our products and proof of our quality and reliability,” said Iñigo Etxeberria, managing director of Irizar e-mobility.

“KCC is investing heavily in sustainable public transport solutions, and we are honoured to be part of this exciting project.

“We are committed to continuous improvement and this unique operation will let our company deliver the first ultra-fast charging bus routes for KCC.”

Go-Ahead London's Managing Director, David Cutts added: "We are delighted to welcome the Kent Fastrack network into our portfolio and intend to provide a high-quality user experience from a dedicated facility in Dartford.

“As the UK's biggest and most innovative zero-emission bus operator, with around 535 electric vehicles in service across the capital, we look forward to applying over a decade's decarbonisation expertise in Kent.”