Work has begun on the charging infrastructure required for 23 brand new electric buses at a Salisbury depot in early 2026.
The bus operator Salisbury Reds already has capability to charge its existing three electric park and ride buses, but further work is required at its facility for when the new fleet begins service next year.
The firm is working with Wiltshire Council with additional funding from the Zero Emission Bus Regional Area scheme to bring electric vehicles to the region. Total investment is around £15m for its city services and the Stonehenge Tour.
Work by EO Charging involves 12 charging points at one of the bus company’s depots, with completion expected in the autumn and plans to keep disruption in the surrounding area “to an absolute minimum”, it said.
Salisbury Reds managing director, Ben Murray, said:
“This is a momentous moment for the city – cementing our mission to put the region right at the forefront of sustainable transport. The time of arrival for the new electric buses is fast-approaching, and our whole team is excited to begin welcoming passengers on-board them early next year.
“In the meantime, we will continue to work closely with Wiltshire Council to ensure the introduction of our new fleet is a smooth and seamless process.”
Cllr Martin Smith, cabinet member for Highways, Streetscene and Flooding at Wiltshire Council, said:
“When they enter service in 2026, the new buses will reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality in Salisbury, saving more than 1,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year of operation.
“There are significant financial benefits too, as each electric bus costs around a quarter of the cost of a diesel bus to run, so these new buses will save both time and money and reduce carbon emissions.”
Philip Kershaw, director of eBus at EO Charging, added:
“We’re proud to be working with Salisbury Reds to deliver the charging infrastructure needed to power its new electric bus fleet.
“This project is about more than just installing chargers – it’s about building a future-proofed depot that keeps vehicles on the road and passengers moving, while supporting Salisbury Reds’ and Wiltshire’s wider sustainability goals.
“Together, we’re accelerating the growth of the city’s zero-emission public transport network.”
Image courtesy of EO Charging/Salisbury Reds
