Stagecoach is making waves in the UK with its largest ever electric bus order to date set to benefit Stockport locals
In the UK, operator Stagecoach has confirmed its largest ever order of electric vehicles, ordering 170 fully electric vehicles to be introduced in Stockport.
The 37.2 million pound investment has been made to further build on Stagecoach’s commitment to have a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2035.
The electric fleet of 150 double deck and 20 single deck buses will be produced by Volvo and MCV, representing a benefit to customers when they first begin delivery in 2024.
The buses are jointly funded by Stagecoach and local and national governments, with Stagecoach’s investment match-funded by 35.7 million pounds from Greater Manchester’s successful Zero Emissions Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) bid and an additional 12.5m pounds from TFGM/ GMCA.
Stagecoach says the new electric buses will be fully accessible with wheelchair bays, hearing induction loops, audio and visual announcement systems alongside anti-slip flooring.
Stagecoach is also introducing a further 122 new fully electric buses in key transport networks across the UK in the next 12 months, with the operator also recently introducing its first fully electric bus cities in four UK cities.
Alongside one of the biggest single investments in electric vehicles in Europe through its Manchester double-decker fleet, Stagecoach is also building on its commitments by delivering in Stockport.
“We’re excited to be announcing our largest electric vehicle order to date, which will be a major step forward in improving air quality across the region,” Stagecoach engineering director Sam Greer says.
“This builds further on the investment being made by Stagecoach across the country to support the transition to a zero-emissions bus fleet.”