Plymouth to Introduce 50 Electric Double-Decker Buses as Part of £31.87 Million Green Investment

Credit: Wrightbus

A fleet of 50 electric double-decker buses is set to hit the streets of Plymouth this year, part of an ambitious plan to replace almost half of the city’s public transport fleet with zero-emission vehicles.

Wrightbus will supply the electric buses, with the first 25 expected in the summer of 2024, followed by the remaining units by the end of 2025. These buses will primarily operate on routes 21/A, 42, and 50/51 in Plymouth, with six additional buses serving route 70 to the Rame Peninsula in Cornwall.

See also: Plymouth Expands Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure with £2.4M in Funding

The new fleet will likely be part of a larger order of up to 1,200 electric buses placed by the Go-Ahead Group in a deal announced in October 2024. Plymouth Citybus, the operator, has not disclosed specific details about the buses, but they are expected to be Wrightbus’s StreetDeck Electroliner BEV model.

This model offers up to 74 seats, 21 standing spaces, and features a range of up to 200 miles (320 kilometers) with a 454 kWh battery pack. The buses are also designed for fast-charging, with capabilities up to 300 kW via CCS and 420 kW via pantograph.

See also: UK Government Allocates £143 Million for 955 New Zero-Emission Buses

Plymouth Citybus is transforming its Milehouse depot to accommodate the new electric fleet, equipping it with charging and maintenance facilities. The £31.87 million investment is a joint effort, with £19.6 million from Plymouth Citybus, £10.34 million from the ZEBRA subsidy, and £1.94 million from Cornwall’s local government.

Richard Stevens, Managing Director of Plymouth Citybus and Go Cornwall Bus, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “We are proud to lead the way in delivering cleaner, greener, and more sustainable public transport for Plymouth.” He added that the move to zero-emission buses would help reduce emissions, improve air quality, and offer a more modern, reliable service to the community.

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