UK bus operator Pulhams Coaches, a subsidiary of Go-Ahead Group, is introducing 15 new electric buses into service across its network in the Cotswolds as part of a wider fleet electrification programme.
The company unveiled the vehicles at its Golden Valley depot in Staverton, following upgrades to charging infrastructure and depot facilities.
The new fleet includes seven double-decker buses and eight single-decker buses built by Wrightbus at its manufacturing plant in Ballymena.
The double-deck vehicles are Wrightbus Electroliners equipped with 442 kWh battery packs. The single-decker models are Wrightbus GB Kite buses, including four 11.6-metre variants with 528 kWh batteries and four 10.2-metre versions with 442 kWh packs.
Pulhams said the fleet expansion represents a total investment of £8.17 million, with £6.63 million allocated to vehicle procurement and £1.54 million spent on charging equipment and supporting infrastructure.
Funding for the project included £4.7 million from Go-Ahead Group, £3.21 million from the UK government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas Scheme, and £255,000 from Gloucestershire County Council.
Luke Marion said the investment marks the beginning of the company’s transition toward zero-emission operations.
“This is a considerable investment in starting our electrification journey at Pulhams, as we continue to innovate and modernise our fleet and infrastructure,” Marion said. “This will significantly improve air quality in the communities we serve and will further help make bus travel an even better option for travelling.”
Alongside the electric bus rollout, Pulhams also invested in upgrades at its Cheltenham depot, including a new bus wash, a modernised fuelling system and refurbished office and staff facilities.
Marion said the improvements bring the depot up to the standard the company envisioned after acquiring the site from Swanbrook Transport in November 2024.
The electrification project comes amid continued expansion of Pulhams’ fleet. Since its acquisition by Go-Ahead Group in 2023, the operator has added more than 60 vehicles, bringing its total fleet to over 150 buses and coaches.