It's hoped that electric buses will be on the streets of Athlone by the middle of next year.
The current fleet of diesel vehicles that service the town's two urban routes will be replaced by the emission-free vehicles as part of National Transport Authority plans.
The NTA confirmed on Monday that it has agreed to buy 200 fully electric buses - including eleven which will operate in Athlone with the remainder based in Dublin.
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Ian Gourley is Transport Fleet manager with the NTA.
He says they are looking at Athlone as becoming a flagship for eco transport :
