North West Gains All-Electric Bus Fleet
Torbay becomes UK's second all-electric bus fleet with 60 new vehicles in £30M upgrade
Torbay Adds 60 Electric Buses in £30M Fleet Upgrade
Torbay's become only the second place in the UK to operate an all-electric bus fleet, transit officials said. Stagecoach South West invested £30 million to deploy 60 zero-emission vehicles across the area through a partnership with Torbay Council and the Department for Transport. The rollout marks the first introduction of brand-new buses in the region in two decades.
Regional Electrification Model
Devon's electric bus transformation is emerging as a leading model for regional fleet electrification across the UK, according to transit officials. The Torbay deployment is part of a larger initiative to transition the entire Devon bus network to zero-emission vehicles. Stagecoach confirmed an additional £29.3 million investment to introduce more than 100 battery-electric buses across Devon, including Exeter and Barnstaple. The Devon Enhanced Bus Partnership was awarded Silver at the UK Bus Awards 2025, recognizing the strength of collaboration between local operators and Devon County Council.
Fleet Composition and Infrastructure
The initial 60-vehicle rollout comprises six 25-seat minibuses, a dozen 31-seat midibuses, and 37 double-deckers with 73 seats each. A 7.2 MW depot charging network is under construction, comprising 48 high-powered chargers across three depots to support the expanded fleet. Devon County Council was awarded approximately £7.3 million for further investment in electric buses, while a separate £7.5 million allocation will support around 90 additional zero-emission buses across the county. All vehicles are fully accessible, equipped with wheelchair ramps, next-stop announcement screens, and hearing loops.
Expansion Timeline
Further deployments are planned across Exeter and North Devon as part of the phased transition toward a fully electric regional fleet, officials said. The expansion will bring more than 100 additional battery-electric buses to Devon routes. Officials didn't provide specific dates for when the Exeter and North Devon rollouts will begin, though the charging infrastructure construction is already underway to support the expanded operations.
Rider Benefits
The transition to electric buses is expected to reduce fuel and maintenance costs, improve service reliability, and contribute to better air quality, particularly in urban centres and along busy transport corridors. Riders will benefit from quieter, smoother journeys on modern vehicles with enhanced accessibility features. Moovit provides real-time updates and trip planning for Stagecoach South West routes across Devon, helping riders navigate the expanding zero-emission network.
