Inverness and Perth to get UK’s first all-electric city bus networks

Stagecoach has announced it will be operating the UK’s first all-electric city bus networks in Inverness and Perth from the end of 2022 and early 2023 respectively.

The fleet of 38 new e-buses is partly funded by the Scottish Government through the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB), which is designed to support the transition to zero-emission technologies as part of Scotland’s overall target to achieve net zero by 2045.

“As part of our drive to target a net zero UK bus fleet by 2035, we are excited to be announcing our plans to deliver the UK’s first all-electric city bus networks, building further on the investment made in new zero emission buses in a number of places in the UK,” said Sam Greer, Stagecoach Regional Director for Scotland.

“An investment of almost £14m, supported by the ScotZEB fund, will see new state-of-the-art electric buses introduced across Inverness and Perth that will help deliver significantly reduced emissions in these major cities.”

The 13 new electric buses in Perth include seven single deck, five midi-buses and one double-decker. They will add to the fleet of nine zero emission buses (ZEBs) introduced in the city last December.

Inverness will gain a fleet of 25 new electric midi-buses from late 2022, completely replacing the city’s diesel bus fleet.

“One of the quickest ways local people can help deliver net zero is by switching from cars to buses, as well as walking and cycling more,” Greer continued.

“We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the Scottish Government and local transport authorities on measures to deliver more priority for bus passengers, more reliable services, simpler ticketing and the best value fares.”

New zero emission buses (ZEBs) are also being introduced over the coming months on Stagecoach networks across other areas in Scotland including Aberdeen, Ayr, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and Kilmarnock as part of the ScotZEB plans.

Over the past 14 months, Stagecoach has rolled out 52 new electric buses across its networks in Scotland as part of the Scottish Government’s Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme (SULEBS), with a further six electric buses introduced across the west of Scotland in partnership with SP Energy Networks.

Scottish Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth said, “Stagecoach have been a valued partner in our Bus Decarbonisation Taskforce. They understand that to respond to the climate emergency, we all need to accelerate the transition to a zero emission bus fleet as soon as possible. I look forward to seeing these latest electric buses soon, which I know continue to be welcomed by customers across Scotland.”