The next stop for Ellie the Electric bus – a character developed to help spread the message of the city’s electric bus fleet to youngsters – is Crabtree Farm School in Bulwell.

Since its launch in March, more than 4,500 copies of the Ellie the Electric Bus and the Lost Puppy public transport themed book have been given to children and parents in the city to promote sustainability and get younger generations interested in making Nottingham greener.

Nottingham is home to Europe’s largest electric bus fleet and the city will soon become the UK’s first city to boast a fully electric Park and Ride bus service, when 13 new electric buses are launched this autumn.

The Council’s Energy and Sustainability team have been using the Ellie book in Nottingham schools as part of a behavioural change programme and have found the book to be an invaluable teaching aid.

Ellie will next be stopping at the Crabtree Farm school summer fair, where she will be on site with free books, timetables and other information for school children, parents and staff on 10th July.

Councillor Nick McDonald, Portfolio Holder for Jobs, Growth and Transport at Nottingham City Council, said:
“Ellie the Electric Bus is doing a great job in encouraging our youngest citizens to get on board our greener transport options.

“We’re really proud that our electric bus fleet is the largest in Europe and we want to spread the message of the city’s electric success to our youngsters, so they can grow up in a cleaner and greener city and take pride themselves in our city’s trailblazing electric achievements.

“Electric buses are great for the environment and save the Council money too when compared to traditionally fuelled vehicles. Looking to the future, we want to maximise clean and integrated transport in the city because it reduces carbon, improves air quality and is good for everyone – from Ellie’s devoted young fans through to local businesses.”

Ellie is the first instalment in a series of books that will feature a variety of characters and sustainable forms of transport. The next book in the series will be released later this summer and will involve Kevin the Kangaroo and his integrated journey using the bus and tram to get to the beach in the Old Market Square.

You can find out more about the electric network and Ellie the Electric Bus at www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/PTBooks