170 new zero-emission buses have hit the streets across the West Midlands as part of a collaboration between National Express West Midlands and fleet electrification & battery storage specialist, Zenobē.
The vehicles, a fleet of Alexander Dennis Enviro400 double decker zero-emission units, come as part of a 95 million GBP investment and will aim to save an average of 61 tonnes of carbon per year.

As part of the collaboration between the two companies; Zenobē will provide an end-to-end Electric Transport as a Service (ETaaS) solution to National Express West Midlands, which will include the financing of the vehicles as well as their associated batteries.
The company will also both monitor and optimise the fleet’s energy by utilising its own proprietary software platform, as well as providing parts, operation support and a series of dedicated rapid chargers at a number of the operator’s depots.
Zenobē has also committed to the provision of ‘second-life’ batteries for the fleet, which are themselves repurposes from electric bus batteries that have come to the end of their initial life. These will be installed by the company at depots, and will provide additional power when necessary.
Steven Meersman, Founder Director of Zenobē, said:Today marks another key milestone in National Express’s journey toward a zero-emission future, and Zenobē is proud to be a driving force behind it.
What began over six years ago with just 19 vehicles at Yardley Wood has grown into a nationwide partnership, now supporting over 300 vehicles across the country. From procuring vehicles and onboard batteries to designing and managing charging infrastructure, we’ve delivered a fully tailored, end-to-end solution at Yardley Wood that supports National Express’s bold ambitions and meets their long-term operational goals.
National Express West Midlands recently completed a significant overhaul of infrastructure at its Yardley Wood depot, which has seen the installation of new charging solutions.
Speaking of the introduction of the new vehicle fleet, Antony Goozee, Bus Strategy and Commercial Director at National Express West Midlands, said:Replacing our diesel buses with electric vehicles and modernising our depots are key steps in our journey towards operating a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2030.
These new clean, green double-decker buses are not just about improving efficiency and reducing our environmental impact, they also deliver a better experience for our passengers with quieter, smoother, and more comfortable journeys.