Fully electric buses have entered service in Essex for the first time, with First Bus rolling out the first four vehicles on routes around Basildon as part of a £30.6 million project supported by the government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA 2) scheme.
The company said it will deploy a total of 55 buses over the next two months, with all in operation by the end of the year. The investment includes £25.8 million from First Bus, covering the new fleet, supporting infrastructure, and upgrades to its Basildon depot.
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The transport operator has not disclosed which manufacturers are supplying the new buses. In other UK regions, it has previously sourced models from Alexander Dennis, Wrightbus, Yutong, or converted existing diesel vehicles to electric power.
Piers Marlow, Managing Director of First Bus East England, said: “It’s fantastic to see the first of our electric buses on the streets of Basildon. Over the coming months, more vehicles will join the fleet until all 55 are in service, delivering cleaner air, quieter journeys and a more sustainable way to travel.”
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First Bus said the new vehicles will eventually operate on most local routes, advancing its target of running a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2035.