Stagecoach South West is rolling out a major electric bus programme after striking a partnership with energy solutions company VEV, with new charging hubs already under construction.
The operator has committed to introducing 110 fully electric buses by early 2026, backed by a 7,200kW charging network spanning depots in Torquay, Exeter and Barnstaple.
The flagship site in Torquay will feature 27 high-powered chargers, while Exeter and Barnstaple will add a further 21 between them. All three depots will be connected through VEV’s smart charging platform, VEV-IQ, which monitors and manages power use in real time.
Peter Knight, managing director of Stagecoach South West, said: “Our partnership with VEV represents a major step forward in our commitment to sustainable public transport across the South West. The expertise and technology that VEV brings, particularly their VEV-IQ platform, gives us confidence in delivering reliable, efficient electric bus services to our customers.
“The comprehensive charging infrastructure across Barnstaple, Torquay and Exeter will form the backbone of our electric fleet operations, supporting our goal of having the full electric fleet of 110 buses operational by early 2026. As part of this project, our Torquay depot will be 100% EV; which marks an exciting milestone not only in Stagecoach South West’s decarbonisation journey, but also in that of Stagecoach Group.”
Simon Cubitt, commercial director (bus and coach) at VEV, added: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Stagecoach on another key project for their business, delivering a comprehensive charging infrastructure that will support the seamless transition to electric bus operations across Devon.
“This project demonstrates our commitment to supporting operators throughout their electrification journey – from initial infrastructure deployment through to ongoing optimisation via our VEV-IQ platform.”
Stagecoach said the investment would not only cut emissions but also improve passenger experience, with quieter, smoother journeys and upgraded accessibility features.