Stagecoach bringing 64 electric buses to the streets of Coventry and Warwickshire

Another 64 new electric buses are being rolled out across Coventry and Warwickshire as part of a trailblazing £140m project to create the UK’s first truly all-electric bus town or city.

The commitment by operator Stagecoach to run the zero-emission buses on all of its services linking Coventry to surrounding areas in Warwickshire is a major step forward for the Coventry Electric Bus City scheme.

It means more than 200 buses, 80% of all those operating within and travelling into the city, will be electric battery powered.

From left to right: Mark Whitelocks, Stagecoach Midlands Managing Director, Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, Cllr George Diggins, Leader of Coventry City Council, Cllr Richard Baxter-Payne, Warwickshire Country Council

Stagecoach has taken delivery of 31 double decker buses from British manufacturer Alexander Dennis and 33 single decker buses from Pelican-Yutong. These will enter service over the next few months as new charging facilities are completed at depots in Nuneaton, Leamington Spa and Rugby. All of the new buses are expected to be in service by next spring.

The electrification of the city’s entire bus fleet will see a huge cut in carbon emissions, the equivalent to taking 14,000 cars off the road, and a reduction in air pollution.

Passengers will enjoy smoother, quieter journeys as well as top-spec amenities including: USB charging, free Wi-Fi, high-spec passenger information systems and enhanced wheelchair and buggy space.

To help make every bus in Coventry is zero-emission, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), was awarded £50m of funding from the Department of Transport. This has unlocked more than £70m of investment from bus operators and a further £20m of funding from TfWM and Warwickshire County Council.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “These new buses will make a big difference to the way people get around in Coventry. They’ll mean greater comfort and convenience for passengers and cleaner air for pedestrians and cyclists to breathe.

"Coventry Electric Bus City is just one part of our plans to create a greener, more affordable and more reliable bus network which better serves the people of the West Midlands." 

Coventry City Council, a partner in the scheme, is also installing bus priority measures to support the roll out of the fleet, part of wider transformation of the city’s bus services through improved journey times and reliability.

Mark Whitelocks, Stagecoach Midlands Managing Director, said “We’re thrilled to be announcing this investment of over £33m on these 64 electric buses and the supporting infrastructure at our depots. This investment demonstrates Stagecoach’s confidence in the region and is evidence of us delivering our ambitions to transform bus services for the communities we serve.

“These buses mark a massive moment for the region as we take a huge step towards modernising our service. They will provide customers with more comfortable journeys and contribute towards cleaner, quieter neighbourhoods and a public transport system that is more sustainable and efficient.”

Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said: “It’s fantastic to see Stagecoach and TfWM roll out 64 electric buses in Coventry, taking the city another step closer to a fully zero-emission bus fleet, supported by £50m investment from Government.

“The new electric buses are a great vote of confidence in our mission to decarbonise transport, and our Buses Bill will empower local leaders to take back control of buses and deliver the modern, sustainable and affordable bus services local communities deserve.”

Cllr George Duggins, leader of Coventry City Council, added “We’re delighted to be another step closer to being the first major city or town in the country to boast a fully electric bus fleet.

“Once the project is complete, Coventry residents will benefit from much cleaner air, with the obvious benefits of better health for young and old alike while the city will be served by some of the most modern buses in the UK.”

Cllr Jan Matecki, Warwickshire County Council portfolio holder for transport and planning, said: “The new electric buses being provided through the Coventry Electric Bus City project will serve a variety of routes and communities in Warwickshire, including Warwick, Leamington, Rugby, Nuneaton, Stratford-upon-Avon, Bedworth, and Kenilworth.

“This is a huge step forward for sustainable transport in our region, offering cleaner air and a quieter environment for everyone.

“As set out in the Warwickshire Bus Service Improvement Plan, we remain fully committed to our vision to work in partnership with bus operators to boost use, increase passenger satisfaction and make public transport a more attractive and cleaner option for residents. This investment will play an important role in achieving these goals and will help us reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a greener and more sustainable future for Warwickshire."