Stagecoach has announced that its Torbay bus fleet will become fully electric thanks to new funding from the Department for Transport (DfT).
This will make Torbay the first area within the Peninsula Transport region (covering Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay) to operate a fully electric bus fleet.
The announcement follows the allocation of 361,000 GBP from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas 2 (ZEBRA) scheme, which supports local authorities and operators in transitioning to cleaner bus fleets. This contribution brings the total investment to more than 7.4 million GBP, supporting the complete electrification of Stagecoach’s Torbay operations.
In Torbay, Stagecoach runs approximately 97% of the local bus network, meaning the shift to electric buses will cover the vast majority of public transport services in the area.
Stagecoach’s Torquay depot will become the company’s first fully electric facility in the South West of England. Once completed, Torbay will join a limited number of areas across the UK operating a 100% zero-emission fleet under a primary bus operator.
Peter Knight, Managing Director at Stagecoach South West, said:The additional funding means we can completely replace our entire fleet in Torbay and remove the diesel fuel tank from our Torquay Depot, marking an important milestone on the road to Net Zero.
We're making lots of progress in the background, planning for the arrival of the all-electric fleet for the Bay. This will help deliver our shared ambitions to reduce carbon emissions, deliver cleaner air and thriving bus services that support our region. We look forward to welcoming the all-new fleet that will benefit the local community and bus users alike.
A total of 55 electric buses have been commissioned, including a mix of single and double-deck models supplied by Alexander Dennis and Yutong. Of these, 49 have already been ordered, with delivery expected during winter 2025. The new fleet is projected to be fully operational by summer 2026.
The new vehicles are being introduced under the Torbay Enhanced Partnership Plan (EPP), a formal agreement between the council and bus operators to improve public transport in the area.
The all-electric buses are expected to provide environmental and health-related benefits, including reduced carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to removing approximately 2,000 diesel cars from the road over the fleet’s lifespan. In addition, the absence of tailpipe emissions is expected to improve air quality, particularly in town centres and along busy routes.
The new buses will also feature updated designs and are expected to offer greater comfort and quieter operation. These changes are aligned with wider efforts to encourage greater use of public transport by offering a more modern and sustainable travel option.
As part of the wider initiative, Stagecoach will also remove its diesel fuel tank from the Torquay depot.
Cllr Adam Billings, Cabinet Member for Pride in Place and Parking for Torbay Council, said:This additional funding will bring the overall funding amount to over £7.4 million which will allow the Stagecoach bus fleet in Torbay to become 100% electric. This is an excellent result for our residents.
The new buses will be better to travel in and their lack of tailpipe emissions will contribute to improving air quality. This will particularly benefit our town centres as well as cyclists and pedestrians generally.
Alongside the planned improvements to our bus services, the introduction of new routes, more frequent busses, better quality information and better quality bus stops, the new electric bus fleet will provide an improved public transport travel option while also reducing carbon emissions. I am confident more people will use the modern electric bus fleet as their first option for transport around Torbay.
