Switch Mobility delivered first Metrocity e-buses to Stagecoach

Earlier this month, Switch Mobility has delivered the first set of Metrocity buses to Stagecoach, a prominent bus and coach operator in the UK. This delivery is part of an order for 20 buses placed by Stagecoach, consisting of two variants of the Switch Metrocity: the 8.7-meter model for Walthamstow and the 9.5-meter model for Lea Interchange.

The Switch Metrocity is equipped with NMC battery technology. “The latest upgrades to the Metrocity have further improved its efficiency and increased its range, allowing it to travel up to 170 miles on a single charge”, the OEM states.

Bright outlooks for the UK e-bus market

In an interview we carried out in late 2022, the company’s Chief Marketing & Sustainability Officer, Peter Freedman stated that Indian market “has helped, because electric bus market in India it’s scaling back up quite quickly. In the UK, it’s still a mixed market. Last year there were about 450 electric buses registered nationally, and this year around 600-700, so it’s growing, but it’s not growing as quickly as the manufacturers would like.”

The UK market was leading in Europe in 2022 with 685 battery-electric bus registrations, +27% from the 540 performed in 2021. Half of city buses registered in the UK in 2022 were electric.

Mahesh Babu, the CEO of Switch Mobility Ltd, says: “The UK electric bus market is witnessing a steady growth, with volumes expected to double in the next three years. In line with Switch’s vision to democratize zero carbon mobility, we are delighted to have delivered the first set of Switch Metrocity’s to Stagecoach, one of our renowned customers in the UK. We are grateful to the Stagecoach management for their trust in our Switch products, that offer superior customer comfort and customer delight. Considering the success of Switch Mobility with proven products and a strong global order bank of over 1,800 buses, we are confident of providing our customers in the UK with competitive and competent product offerings. This delivery is a significant step in our journey to support Operators and Transport for London, to accelerate the adoption of zero emission transportation”.

Sam Greer, the Engineering Director at Stagecoach, adds: “We are pleased to be welcoming another two electric vehicles orders to our fleet which will help us with our target of having a fully electric bus fleet across the UK by 2035″.