The Big Lemon reaches electric bus target

The Big Lemon launched a £405,000 bond offer last month to raise money for three electric buses, which has now been met.

Bonds were offered on a three-year term at four per cent, and a five-year term at five per cent, with a minimum investment of £100.

The electric buses have been ordered and will enable The Big Lemon to run its network of six public bus services in Brighton & Hove, with zero emissions transport, powered by solar panels on the roof of the bus depot.

They are due to enter service in Autumn.

The Big Lemon has now extended the target by £135,000 to by another bus, with hopes of making its network fully electric.

Tom Druitt, chief executive, said: ““I’d like to say a massive thank you to all those who have invested in this project. It’s exciting to be on the verge of creating the UK’s first fully electric public bus network in Brighton & Hove and this will make a huge difference to air quality in the city.

“From a personal perspective the success of this campaign is very exciting as it shows that communities do not need big business or the banks to fund the improvements they so desperately need – people power can do it too.

"Because of the huge response we’ve had we’re extending our plans to cover one more bus which will enable us to ensure the network is fully electric even when a vehicle is having its 4 weekly maintenance inspection.”