More than £7.5 million awarded to Devon for new electric buses
Devon County Council received funding to replace older diesel buses with electric models
Devon County Council has been awarded £7.53 million in funding to acquire around 90 new zero emission buses.
The funding is part of the Department for Transport’s expansion of its Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) projects, aimed at improving public transport and air quality in the South West and South East.
Officials at Devon County Council expressed their support for the investment which is anticipated to benefit thousands of passengers by replacing older diesel vehicles and enhancing air quality across the region.
Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, highlighted that the cleaner buses are in line with the council's ambitions to improve local transportation and reduce carbon emissions. Hodgson said the funding supports the council’s ongoing investments in upgrading bus services and infrastructure.
Peter Knight, Managing Director at Stagecoach South West, also welcomed the funding, emphasising its potential to provide passengers with quieter and more comfortable journeys while supporting the transition to a greener fleet.
The funding builds on previous successes under the ZEBRA scheme, including prior allocations for 51 electric buses and a further 14 vehicles financed through Devon’s Bus Service Improvement Plan funding.
Additionally, the UK Government has allocated £73.2 million to deliver 484 zero emission buses across England, further extending the national ZEBRA programme which has already funded over 2,500 cleaner buses.
Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander MP, noted the transformative impact of the new vehicles on public transport in Devon, highlighting improvements in connectivity and air quality. Alexander said that the cleaner buses will enhance reliable connections and reduce pollution, contributing positively to communities across the county.