UK, 42 electric buses to enter service under Gloucestershire’s £20m investment plan

Stagecoach West and Gloucestershire County Council, in UK, have confirmed a major multi-million-pound investment to accelerate the deployment of electric buses in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury.

The announcement is outlined in a Gloucestershire County Council press release published on 28 November 2025.

The first electric buses are set to enter service in early 2026, with depot upgrades progressing in parallel to support charging and maintenance operations. The initiative forms part of the UK Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme.

42 electric buses coming to Glouchestershire

The project represents a total investment of more than £20 million and involves the introduction of 42 new electric buses. Stagecoach West is contributing over £17 million, while the UK Government and Gloucestershire County Council are jointly investing more than £3.5 million. According to the council’s statement, the transition is expected to replace around 20% of Stagecoach’s Gloucestershire fleet, removing an estimated 22 tonnes of NOx and approximately 43,224 tonnes of carbon emissions over the appraisal period.

The electrification programme will support some of the busiest routes in the region, including the 1, 2, 2A and 71 in Gloucester and the 94, 95, 94X, 41, 42, 43 and T in Cheltenham. All services operating to and from Tewkesbury will become fully electric under the plan.

Chris Hanson, Managing Director at Stagecoach West, said “This investment is a huge leap forward for greener travel. These new electric buses don’t just help the environment; they transform the passenger experience. Residents will have better buses, cleaner air, and reduce their carbon footprint.”

Cllr. Lisa Spivey, Leader at Gloucestershire County Council added “We’re proud to support this major investment in zero-emission transport. These new electric buses will play a vital role in cutting carbon emissions, improving local air quality, and encouraging more people to choose public transport. It’s a key step in our ambition to create a greener Gloucestershire and reach net-zero by 2045.”