The first battery-electric vehicles for the First Bus depot in Bath have been delivered as part of a wider ongoing electrification of the group’s West of England fleet.
For repower, the opening examples of 27 previously diesel Wrightbus StreetDeck double-decks that are being converted to battery-electric by the OEM’s NewPower subsidiary have arrived in Bath. The full batch will be delivered over the coming months.
Meanwhile, the first brand-new Alexander Dennis models have entered service there in five Enviro100EV models. They are part of an order for 17 buses from that manufacturer and complemented by 12 Enviro200EVs that are awaited. Repowers and the new battery-electrics for Bath are part subsidised by the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas scheme.
Elsewhere in the West of England business, work is ongoing to complete the conversion of Hengrove depot in Bristol to fully zero-emission operation, while three Airport Flyer services to Bristol Airport have also gone to battery-electric from Hengrove and Weston-super-Mare depots as part of large-scale deliveries of Yutong products.
Further electrics are due for Lawrence Hill depot in Bristol. By spring 2027, around £150 million of public and private money will have been invested in battery-electric buses and supporting infrastructure across the region.
Regional Director for South and West Doug Claringbold notes how at over 250 battery-electrics, almost half of the buses in the First Bus West of England fleet will be electric by the end of 2026, with around 750,000 passengers per week set to use that emission-free mode of travel.
Across fleets in England and Scotland, more than 70 repowered mid-life StreetDecks have been returned to First Bus. Mr Claringbold says that approach shows “a real commitment to going even further in our efforts to be more sustainable.” In addition to driveline replacement, the work captures interior and exterior refurbishment.
Speaking about the Bath transition, Bath and North East Somerset Council Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport Delivery Cllr Lucy Hodge says: “The arrival of Bath’s first repowered electric buses is great news for our area and for everyone who relies on buses to get around every day.
“As a council, we are focused on making it easier for people to choose the bus for everyday journeys. Investment like this in Bath and North East Somerset helps to improve reliability, comfort and accessibility, while supporting a better experience for residents and visitors.
“It also shows the value of strong partnership working to deliver modern transport that meets the needs of our communities.”
