Stagecoach deploys further 64 e-buses in Coventry (from Alexander Dennis and Yutong)

Coventry City Council’s target to be the UK’s first all-electric bus fleet by 2025 has received a boost as another 64 buses are being rolled out across the city by Stagecoach. This means that more than 200 buses, 80% of all those operating within and travelling into the city, will now be electric battery powered.

The latest decision is part of Coventry’s Electric‘s plan – a trailblazing £140m project that reinforces Stagecoach’s commitment to run zero-emission buses on all its services which link Coventry to surrounding areas in Warwickshire.

Alexander Dennis and Yutong e-buses coming to Coventry

31 double decker buses have been built by British manufacturer Alexander Dennis (that was awarded a 130-units contract in 2022), with 33 single-deckers from Pelican Yutong. The vehicles are expected to be in service by next spring after depots have been fitted with the facilities to charge them, Coventry City Council states.

The funding to support the switch of Coventry to become zero-emission came from Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, which was awarded £50 million of funding from the Department of Transport back in 2021.

Coventry City Council recaps that funding has subsequently unlocked more than £70m of investment from bus operators and a further £20m of funding from TfWM and Warwickshire County Council.

Electric buses in Coventry, a combined investment by Stagecoach and public sector

Cllr George Duggins, Leader of Coventry City Council, said “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.”

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “This combined investment by Stagecoach and the public sector is going to make a huge difference to people’s journeys in and around Coventry. It not only means that people, including cyclists and pedestrians, are breathing cleaner air but bus passengers are travelling in comfort in brand new vehicles making it a more attractive, affordable and greener way to get around the city.”

Mark Whitelocks, Stagecoach Midlands Managing Director said: “We’re thrilled to be announcing this investment of more than £33 million 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 services as we provide customers with more comfortable journeys on these state-of-the-art buses as well as contributing to making cleaner, quieter neighbourhoods and a public transport that is more sustainable and efficient.”