Stagecoach South West has announced a partnership with e-fleet solutions provider VEV to accelerate bus electrification across Devon.
The firm has appointed VEV to design, build and manage high-powered DC charging infrastructure across three strategic depot locations: Barnstaple, Torquay and Exeter.
Its charging network will deliver a combined capacity of 7,200kW, supporting the operator’s transition to a fully electric fleet across North Devon and Torbay.
Construction has started at the firm’s Torquay depot, which will serve as the flagship installation featuring 27 x 150kW high-power chargers – the largest of the three sites. The operator’s Exeter depot will house 10 chargers, while Barnstaple will accommodate 11 chargers.
Charging infrastructure will be managed through VEV’s smart charging and digital energy management platform, VEV-IQ. The platform will monitor and optimise power usage, charging scheduling, and charger status across all three sites.
Peter Knight, Stagecoach South West Managing Director, said:
“Our partnership with VEV represents a major step forward in our commitment to sustainable public transport across the South West. The expertise and technology that VEV brings, particularly their VEV-IQ platform, gives us confidence in delivering reliable, efficient electric bus services to our customers.
“The comprehensive charging infrastructure across Barnstaple, Torquay and Exeter will form the backbone of our electric fleet operations, supporting our goal of having the full electric fleet of 110 buses operational by early 2026. As part of this project, our Torquay depot will be 100% EV; which marks an exciting milestone not only in Stagecoach South West’s decarbonisation journey, but also in that of Stagecoach Group.
“This investment underscores our dedication to reducing emissions while enhancing the quality of public transport for communities across North Devon and Torbay.”
Simon Cubitt, Commercial Director (Bus and Coach) of VEV, said:
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Stagecoach on another key project for their business, delivering a comprehensive charging infrastructure that will support the seamless transition to electric bus operations across Devon.
“This project demonstrates our commitment to supporting operators throughout their electrification journey – from initial infrastructure deployment through to ongoing optimisation via our VEV-IQ platform. By taking a digital-first approach to fleet electrification, we’re ensuring that Stagecoach can operate efficiently and cost-effectively while delivering a cleaner, more comfortable journey for their customers.”
Image courtesy of Stagecoach
