Bourton-on-the-Water operator Pulhams Coaches has introduced 15-battery-electric buses and completed a programme of depot upgrades in Cheltenham as part of an £8.17 million investment aimed at accelerating the company’s transition to zero-emission operations.
The new vehicles, formally unveiled on 6 March, comprise seven double-decker Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliners, equipped with 442kWh battery packs, and eight single-deck Wrightbus GB Kite Electroliners.
Of the latter, four are 11.6m examples with 528kWh battery packs, and four are 10.2m variants with 442kWh battery packs. All were developed and built at Wrightbus’ manufacturing facility in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.
A total of £6.63 million has been invested in the vehicles with a further £1.54 million directed towards depot infrastructure, which includes the installation of 16 electric charging points.
Other improvements delivered as part of the programme include a new bus wash, upgraded fuelling equipment, refurbished office space and enhanced driver rest facilities at Pulhams’ Golden Valley depot in Staverton.
Funding has been provided through a combination of operator and public sector investment. Pulhams parent Go-Ahead Group contributed £4.7 million, while £3.21 million came from the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme.
Gloucestershire County Council contributed £255,000. The investment is expected to cut more than 700 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Luke Marion, Managing Director of Pulhams, comments: “This is a considerable investment in starting our electrification journey at Pulhams, as we continue to innovate and modernise our fleet and infrastructure. This will significantly improve air quality in the communities we serve and will further help make bus travel an even better option for travelling.
“The investment in our facilities at our Cheltenham site brings it up to the standard we envisioned after acquiring the site from Swanbrook Transport in November 2024. I’m grateful the company has been able to invest heavily into a project of this scale and for the support of key stakeholders who have made this possible. This is a great example of healthy partnerships working together to create better outcomes for all.”
John McLeister, Managing Director for Sales in the UK and Ireland at Wrightbus, adds: “It’s been a pleasure for Wrightbus to support Pulhams as it embarks on its electrification journey. Wrightbus is proudly marking its 80th anniversary this year and we’re leading the way globally in zero-emission bus technology.
“These Gen 2 Electroliners are the most efficient battery-electric buses we have ever produced, with class-leading range, charging speed and battery life.
“This investment from Pulhams shows the importance of zero-emission transport. And because the buses have been developed and built in our UK factory in Ballymena, this fleet of buses will not only help to improve air quality across Cheltenham, but will also support good green jobs in the wider UK manufacturing sector.”
The project is another step in Pulhams’ expansion since its acquisition by Go-Ahead in 2023. The operator says more than 60 vehicles have been added to the fleet in that period, taking the total to over 150, alongside recruitment of more than 60 additional staff. Last year, Pulhams introduced five new Irizar integral coaches for tours, day trips and private hires following a £1.5 million investment.
