Stagecoach, the UK’s largest bus and coach operator, will invest £37.2m to introduce 170 fully electric vehicles in Stockport. The move is part of the company’s plan to electrify its fleet and introduce 122 fully electric buses in key transport networks across the UK in the next 12 months.
Stagecoach invests £37.2m in electrifying its fleet
Stagecoach, the UK’s largest coach and bus operator, has announced an investment of £37.2 million to electrify its fleet. The move will see the introduction of 170 fully electric vehicles in Stockport, which will be produced by Volvo and MCV (Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles). The buses will be funded jointly by Stagecoach and local and national governments, with Stagecoach’s investment being match-funded by £35.7m from Greater Manchester’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) bid and an additional contribution of £12.5m by TFGM/GMCA.
The new electric buses will be fully accessible and feature wheelchair bays, hearing induction loops, audio and visual announcement systems, and anti-slip flooring. The fleet will consist of 150 double-deck and 20 single-deck vehicles, with the first vehicles of the order set to be delivered in summer 2024.
The move is part of Stagecoach’s commitment to transitioning to a zero-emission bus fleet across the country. In the next 12 months, the operator will introduce a further 122 new fully electric buses in key transport networks across the UK. Stagecoach has already introduced its first fully electric bus cities in Perth, Aberdeen, Inverness, and Dunfermline in Scotland.
Sam Greer, Engineering Director for Stagecoach, said that the company was excited to be announcing its largest electric vehicle order to date, which would be a major step forward in improving air quality across the region. He added that the investment in electric buses was part of Stagecoach’s wider commitment to support the transition to a zero-emission bus fleet.
The move comes as the UK government pushes for greater adoption of electric vehicles and aims to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030. As part of this push, the government has committed to investing over £2.8 billion in the country’s electric vehicle infrastructure, including charging points and upgrades to the electricity grid.
The move towards electrification is not only a win for the environment but also for the economy. The electric vehicle market is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, with estimates suggesting that it will reach a value of $800 billion by 2027. By investing in electrification, companies like Stagecoach are positioning themselves at the forefront of this burgeoning market and ensuring their long-term sustainability.
Overall, Stagecoach’s investment in electric buses is a positive step towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for the UK’s transportation sector. As the country works towards its zero-emissions goal, the adoption of electric vehicles will become increasingly important, and companies like Stagecoach will play a vital role in making this transition possible.
