Zero-Emission Double-Decker Buses Arrive in Plymouth, Marking Major Milestone

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 buses are part of a transformative project led by Plymouth Citybus, part of the Go-Ahead Group, in partnership with Plymouth City Council, Cornwall Council, and the Department for Transport. The initiative will replace almost half of the Plymouth Citybus fleet with brand-new electric vehicles.

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.

The project is being primarily funded by Plymouth Citybus, part of the Go-Ahead Group, contributing £19.6 million, supported by a £10.34 million grant from the Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) 2 Fund, with additional contributions of £1.94 million from Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council.

Richard Stevens, Managing Director of Plymouth Citybus and Go Cornwall Bus said: “The arrival of our first electric buses marks a huge step forward, not just for Plymouth Citybus but for the city as a whole. Our team is thrilled to be part of this positive change, and we are fully committed to building a greener transport network for generations to come.”

The new buses will bear a livery showcasing their green credentials and recognising the partners’ investment.

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.”

The buses are not only green; they also deliver significant improvements to accessibility, including additional space to accommodate a second wheelchair user or multiple unfolded pushchairs or prams, alongside the mandatory wheelchair space. The new buses also feature audio-visual announcements to provide clear information on routes and upcoming stops.

Route 70 on the Rame Peninsula forms part of Cornwall Council’s supported bus network. Cornwall Council has also successfully bid for further ZEBRA 2 funding to provide electric buses in Falmouth and Truro.  

Rebecca Riley, Head of Connectivity and Transport Policy at Cornwall Council, said: “We want to support our residents to make greener and healthier choices about how they travel as well as provide sustainable services to connect our communities. 

“This work reflects the great partnership between neighbouring councils and transport operators as well as our commitment to decarbonising transport, which is a central theme of our Local Transport Plan.”