Argentina’s Agency of Environmental Protection (APRA) is almost finished testing the city’s first Ecobus—just in time for the new year. The Ecobus, a prototype using hybrid technology, is a promising source for less noise and less pollution.

The bus will run off thermal and electric energy and use two motors. An electric battery and diesel power will eliminate the emission of poisonous gases and reduce hydrocarbons that the current bus system employs. Forty-five batteries along the ceiling will store energy produced by the electric power of the brakes.

“When security tests have concluded in January, Buenos Aires will be at the standard of other large cities not only in its concern for citizen health but also of the planet, with global warming”, president of APRA, Graciela Gerola said.

Argentine scientists are hoping the model is successful and may become a source of income as an export. The new design allows the bus to shut off while waiting for lights or in traffic and start again with little noise and no loss of power. The buses are also estimated to be 30 to 40% more fuel efficient.

The Ecobus is also assumed to reduce 75% of the black smoke emissions of the current model as well as noise pollution which plagues all parts of the capital city.

“In the microcentro and surrounding area (where the traffic congestion is greater), these units are going to function only with electricity, with which the levels of noise pollution will decline notably”, said mayor Mauricio Macri.

The number 62 bus line will be the first to include the “green”—actually black and white—buses. Other routes are scheduled to make the switch in the coming year. During 2010, 20 hybrid buses will come into circulation among the some 9,500 others.