Stagecoach will be rolling out 20 new Electric Vehicle (EV) buses in Exeter on Service 4, Service A and the Green Park and Ride service.
The introduction of electric buses, which should be on the road in and around Exeter by mid 2025, is expected to create a new image which it is hoped will appeal to new passengers, boost park and ride use and improve air quality by reducing pollution.
Stagecoach is ready to roll out EV charging infrastructure across its depots, including Exeter and Barnstaple.
This new £20m+ investment will form the basis for the bus company to expand its fleet of zero and low emission vehicles across the south west, and there are also plans in place to develop a community charging hub at the Matford depot in Exeter.
Peter Knight, Managing Director at Stagecoach South West, said: “This is an exciting and important moment for Stagecoach in the South West. As a key driver of supporting the move to net zero, our sustainability strategy sets out a roadmap to decarbonise by 70% by 2035 and to become a carbon-neutral business by 2050.
“We welcome this funding for investment in new zero-emission buses. This support gives renewed confidence to the whole supply chain and will unlock significant private sector investment into new, clean vehicles.