Warwickshire to Acquire Electric Buses and Charging Infrastructure
The county of Warwickshire in central England has announced plans to purchase 27 electric buses and the necessary charging infrastructure. Public transport operator Stagecoach Midlands has placed the order and will also assist with electrical connections and installation of the charging systems.
The project is part of Warwickshire's broader initiative to electrify its public transport system. The funding for this effort comes from the Zebra 2 scheme, with the council adding £13.864 million to the Capital Programme. This budget includes contributions from the Department for Transport (DfT), Stagecoach Midlands, and developer contributions through Section 106. The buses and associated infrastructure will be deployed on key routes throughout Warwickshire.
Stagecoach Midlands has already placed the order for the 27 buses, which are expected to enter service in spring 2025, ahead of the March 2026 deadline set by the DfT. While the specific bus models have not been confirmed, Stagecoach has previously purchased electric buses from British manufacturer ADL and Chinese firm Yutong. However, given Warwickshire's rural landscape, the models chosen may differ from those used in urban settings like London.
Cllr Jan Matecki, Warwickshire County Council Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning, highlighted the environmental goals: "Our aim is for the council to be net zero by 2030 and for the county to achieve net zero by 2050. Reducing transport emissions is crucial to reaching these goals, and this significant investment is a major step forward."
Mark Whitelocks, Managing Director of Stagecoach Midlands, expressed support for the initiative, adding, "We are pleased to partner with Warwickshire County Council and the DfT to create a cleaner environment and help meet both our and the council's net zero ambitions."
The Zebra scheme has been widely utilized across the UK to fund the purchase of zero-emission public transport vehicles, with recent orders in cities like Reading, Hull, and Leeds.
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