Work has started on installing charging infrastructure at Stagecoach South West’s Exeter depot, in readiness for the arrival of its new electric fleet later this summer.
Located in the Matford Park and Ride, the charging points will be available for use by the public when not in use by a Stagecoach bus, creating a Community Charging Hub with high-speed charging technology.
Devon County Council secured the initial Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) funding from the Department for Transport (DFT), with Stagecoach South West investing £15 million in to the project.
The first of the electric buses will be arriving in Exeter this summer, and then at sites in Torbay and North Devon.
The full fleet of 90 buses from Alexander Dennis, Volvo and Yutong will be rolled out across the South West by early 2026.
A total of 10 Alexander Dennis Enviro100EV small single-deckers as well as 48 Enviro400EV double-deckers will be procured alongside 20 Volvo BZLs and 12 Yutong E10s.
The new buses will meet Enhanced Accessibility Standards and will come with the latest passenger experience features.
Peter Knight, Stagecoach South West Managing Director said “Getting spades in the ground is an exciting moment for Stagecoach in the South West, it’s the start of our journey to creating a significant decrease in carbon emissions that will not only contribute to cleaner air and improved public health but also aligns with Exeter’s broader environmental goals of reducing the city’s carbon footprint and achieving its 2030 net zero goal.”
