In mid-December 2019, transport opperator Niort Agglo, in the western French city of Niort, placed its first Negobus-Rampini electric bus in service in the city centre, as part of its efforts to reduce pollution. The 6-metre E60 bus has seats for ten people, and standing space for a further 14, and will be joined by two more of the type in March. The vehicle, the first of its type to enter service in France, was chosen after trials of several electric vehicles in the city, and is similar to vehicles currently in service in Madrid. Each bus is expected to cover around 30,000km per year, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by the equivalent of 60 tonnes every year, as well as 20,700 litres of diesel. With a battery capacity of 143kW, the vehicles have a range of 120km. The buses were chosen for their small size and manoeuvrability in narrow streets, as well as their ride quality and accessibility.
