Work will start next month on a £44m project to prepare a Bristol bus depot for the launch of more than 70 new electric buses on the city’s network.
The First West of England depot at Hengrove will be fitted with increased power and multiple gantries to distribute the power to charge the 74 new zero-emission buses, pictured.
Electrifying the depot will also provide facilities for local companies to charge their electric vehicles as well as bringing green employment and training opportunities, including upskilling the existing engineering team and providing apprenticeship opportunities.
First West of England parent group First Bus is focused on becoming a leader in the transition to a low-carbon future and is committed to operating a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035.
The group, which has not bought any new diesel buses since January last year, already operates 99 biomethane-fuelled double decker buses in Bristol.
As well as helping improve air quality, the vehicles are more sustainable as they are fuelled by a by-product of food waste.
The work at Hengrove, which is being carried out by specialist engineering firm NG Bailey, is expected to be completed by next March. The electric buses – which will make up two-thirds of Hengrove’s fleet – will arrive soon after and enter service in early 2026.
First West of England managing director Doug Claringbold said: “This week is a real ground-breaking moment for the West of England, as we see the first signs of a new electric, zero emission era for bus travel in our region.
“These will be the first electric buses we welcome into our West of England fleet, providing not only a comfier, quieter and smoother ride for customers, but also helping us to deliver a more reliable service and, importantly, bus travel that is even better for the environment.”
Some £37.4m of the investment at Hengrove is being paid for by First Bus with £6.6m of government zero emission bus regional areas (ZEBRA) funding.
The electric buses will be used on the X1 (Weston to Bristol), X4 (Portishead to Bristol), 8 (Temple Meads to Clifton via city centre), 24 (Southmead Hospital to Ashton Gate), 70 (Hengrove to UWE Frenchay via city centre), 72 (Temple Meads to UWE Frenchay), 73 (Whitchurch to Bradley Stoke via Temple Meads) and 75/76 (Hengrove to Henbury/Cribbs Causeway via city centre).
