First Electric Bus Arrives in Plymouth

The first of fifty zero-emission electric double-decker buses have now arrived in Plymouth, marking a major shift toward cleaner, more sustainable public transport.

The first bus arrived on 22nd April and deliveries have continued steadily since then, with more due over the coming weeks, prior to the buses entering service this summer.

The electric buses will operate on Plymouth routes 21/A, 42, and 50/51, with six vehicles also serving the Rame Peninsula in Cornwall on route 70. The full fleet of 50 buses is scheduled to be on the road by the end of the year.

To support the electric buses infrastructure work is progressing rapidly and the transformation of the Milehouse depot into a state-of-the-art hub for charging and maintaining the electric fleet is on track for completion this summer, thanks to the investment by the project partners.

Richard Stevens, Managing Director of Plymouth Citybus and Go Cornwall Bus said:

They are expected to reduce carbon emissions by 79,914 tonnes over their lifetime, as well as reducing NOx (nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide) emissions by 28 tonnes, and PM (particulate matter) 2.5 emissions by one tonne.

Councillor Mark Coker, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said:

"It’s fantastic to welcome Plymouth’s first electric buses and to be supporting the establishment of Milehouse as an electric bus depot. This is a major milestone and demonstrates the commitment of all the project partners – and wider enhanced partnership – to delivering better bus services for the city. I look forward to seeing the new buses out on the road and passengers enjoying the more accessible space and journey information they offer."