Political leaders in England’s largest county are asking for a multi-million fund from the Government to introduce dozens of electric buses in a scheme they hope could set an example for the rest of rural England.

North Yorkshire’s council leaders, who are currently in talks with the Government over a devolution deal and the creation of an elected metro mayor, hope to roll out ultra-low emission vehicles across the county in the coming years.

In a submission to Ministers, they say some electric buses are already being introduced in Harrogate and York in a bid to cut the levels of pollution going into the atmosphere.

But they now say they “need a step-up in funding” to meet the scale of the challenge and are asking for an initial grant of £52.5m to help deliver a three-phase programme for the introduction of electric buses.

A North Yorkshire council with 144 councillors would drown out local voices, say...

The first phase would use £27m to buy around 150 electric buses and the charging infrastructure needed in York for seven operators, who would provide £24m of their own money.

It is hoped this work would complement another ambitious project to create an electric vehicle charging network for private vehicles, taxis and heavy goods vehicles.

Both schemes, which would require significant investment from central government as part of any devolution deal, are part of North Yorkshire’s ambitions to become the country’s first carbon negative economy.

North Yorkshire leaders want to run 150 electric buses around county to cut pollution