Stagecoach, the UK’s leading bus operator, is proud to announce plans for its first fully electric fleet and depot in Stockton-on-Tees, marking a major milestone in its journey toward sustainability and decarbonisation.
With 43 Stagecoach sites across its UK network due to have electric vehicle infrastructure by the end of 2025, and more than 10 per cent of its 8,400-strong fleet operating as zero emissions, the Company is well on its way to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
To celebrate this transformative development, an event took place today at Acklam Hall, Middlesborough, where stakeholders from across the region gathered to hear about the significance of the new site.
The fully electric operation represents a groundbreaking step for Stagecoach, forming the blueprint for future electrification across the company’s UK operating companies. In the coming weeks the Stockton depot will see the introduction of a uniform fleet of Yutong electric vehicles, including E12s and the company’s first Yutong double-decker (Yutong DD).
As well as being better for the environment, electric buses are quieter and cleaner than existing vehicles and benefit from improved on-board accessibility features.
Attendees at the event heard from the Chief Executive of the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), who discussed the broader regional impact of zero-emission buses (ZEBs). Representatives from Yutong also presented insights into the brand’s R&D focus and ongoing partnership with Stagecoach.
Claire Miles, Chief Executive Officer at Stagecoach said:
“This announcement marks an exciting and important step on our journey to deliver a smarter, and more sustainable transport network. Not only are we investing in quieter, zero tail pipe emission buses for our communities, but we’re also transforming our infrastructure to build a more efficient and future-ready business.”
Steve Walker, Managing Director of Stagecoach North East said:
“We’re incredibly proud to announce plans for our first fully electric fleet and depot here in Stockton-on-Tees. This is a landmark moment not just for Stagecoach North East, but for the wider Tees Valley region. By working in partnership with local stakeholders and investing in cutting-edge technology, we’re helping to deliver a transport network that’s fit for the next generation.”
Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor, said:
“This new electric depot in Stockton isn’t just a first for Stagecoach – it’s a big step forward for Teesside and another clear sign we’re leading the way in building the cleaner, better-connected region our people deserve.
"Backed by our investment, this site will help get more people into good-quality jobs and training by making our buses more reliable and fit for the future.
"It’s not only brilliant to see these state-of-the-art buses on our roads – named by our talented young people – but to know we’re also giving local businesses a chance to plug into this, shows we're serious about making the most of all our projects for as many people as possible.”
Ian Downie, Head of Yutong UK, said:
“We are very proud to work with Stagecoach and the wider community. This is about more than just the vehicles - it is about sustainability, about community and the partnership within this region and the innovation that Stagecoach are bringing in looking at it on a depot basis is to me a blueprint that could be cascaded across the whole country.”
Beyond public transport benefits, the new electric site will open the door for business innovation. The Stagecoach Solutions team unveiled a new B2B offering, which will give regional businesses access to the charging infrastructure during off-service hours – a forward-thinking approach that creates a secondary income stream and helps decarbonise the wider transport ecosystem.
This announcement underlines Stagecoach’s continued investment in clean energy and its leadership role in shaping the future of public transport in the UK.
The Group recently announced it has potentially secured an additional £7.9 million funding from the Government’s ZEBRA 2 initiative, which will supplement the £50.6 million investment Stagecoach has already pledged to roll-out 120 new electric vehicles across its fleet by 2027.
