Stagecoach’s Chesterfield bus depot has been converted to support electric buses, marking the completion of the first of four planned depot electrification projects in collaboration with VEV.
The transition will see 57 electric buses enter service in Spring 2025, replacing more than two-thirds of the existing diesel fleet serving Chesterfield and northeastern Derbyshire.
The project has been funded through a combination of the UK government’s ZEBRA 2 scheme, Derbyshire County Council, and Stagecoach.
Chesterfield is the largest of the four depots being electrified under this collaboration, with others located in Leamington, Nuneaton, and Rugby. Collectively, the sites will support a total of 150 electric buses.
Tony Cockcroft, Asset Management Director at Stagecoach said:Our Chesterfield EV depot marks a significant step forward in our electrification journey. VEV’s support has been crucial in ensuring a smooth transition to electric operations. The sophisticated VEV-IQ platform provides us with the insights and control we need to optimise our fleet operations, make informed decisions about our business & enable additional revenue generation. We look forward to replicating this success with VEV at our other Leamington, Nuneaton and Rugby sites.
Charging and Renewable Energy Infrastructure
The Chesterfield depot now features 27 dual DC 120kW chargers supplied by Eko Energetyka, allowing for 54 charging points.
A power upgrade of 2.5MVA has also been implemented to meet operational demands. In addition, a rooftop solar installation with a capacity of 234kWp is under construction. Once completed, it is projected to generate around 200MWh of electricity annually, reducing reliance on grid electricity and lowering costs. The solar panels are expected to save approximately 48 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
VEV, an e-fleet solutions provider backed by energy firm Vitol, has played a central role in the project. The company supported Stagecoach from initial fleet and power analysis through to charger installation, staff training, and ongoing operational assistance. VEV has also installed its smart charging and energy management platform, VEV-IQ, at the depot.
The VEV-IQ system integrates with Stagecoach’s vehicle telematics to monitor factors such as state of charge, range, and location. It also enables dynamic load management and optimised power purchasing, ensuring efficient fleet operations and minimising energy costs.
Mike Nakrani, CEO of VEV said:The completion of the Chesterfield depot is the first deliverable in our relationship with Stagecoach to support both their strategic and operational goals on fleet electrification. This isn’t just about installing chargers – it’s about providing a complete solution that encompasses fleet analysis, infrastructure, power optimisation, staff training, and ongoing operational support to ensure a successful transition of the bus network to electric vehicles.
With Chesterfield now operational, focus will shift to completing the electrification of the remaining three depots. These projects are expected to further advance Stagecoach’s efforts in reducing emissions and modernising its fleet with cleaner transport solutions.
