Christchurch is set to become the first city in the country to have a fully electric urban bus service.

Red Bus has ordered three fully electric buses for the city.

They are due to arrive in March next year and will be used on route 29 between the central city and the Airport.

Redbus Acting Chief Executive Terry Foote says they see one of their roles as testing new technology - and also "as a means of assisting New Zealand in meeting its commitments to reducing the effects of climate change."

He said passengers will notice the difference.

"They'll be very smooth, there won't be the noises, there wont be emissions from them and there'll be up to date technology."

Mr Foote said they are looking at trialing them in the hill areas as well.