Before the move is confirmed, the council must gain approval to use £1.8m of its Bus Service Improvement Plan funding to support the acquisition of the zero-emission vehicles.

The council’s executive will meet next week to discuss the report, which includes plans for the council to cover 75% of the project’s total cost, with Stagecoach subsidising a further 25%.

In a statement on Monday, the local authority confirmed that if the decision is approved, the buses will operate on a priority route, covering Stagecoach services 17, 18 and 19.

According to council leader Cllr Martin Griffiths, the proposals are a development of the local authority’s Carbon Management Plan.

Cllr Griffiths added: ‘In this instance, we’re proposing using funding available to the council from the Department for Transport to switch to an electric fleet on a vital and important bus route.

‘This also aligns with our Big50 vision which see us rethinking how services are delivered to shape a future that is sustainable and forward-thinking.

Cllr Chris McGiffen, Executive Member for Highways and Travel commented: ‘As a council, we’re committed to improving our public transport network to benefit residents in North Northamptonshire, which this scheme should do.

‘On a practical level, this route has been chosen due to it being within the range of current battery technology and requires sufficient vehicles to justify the investment.’

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