£13.8 million investment for 24 new electric buses (and chargers) in Norfolk, England

First Bus, in partnership with Norfolk County Council, will introduce 24 electric double-decker buses and upgrade depot infrastructure as part of a £13.8 million investment in zero-emission transport. The vehicles will operate in Great Yarmouth and Norwich by Autumn 2026.

As of 2023, First Bus had commenced work to transform its Norwich Roundtree Way depot into a fully electric fleet, one of the UK’s first outside of London, as it prepared to receive 70 brand new electric buses.

The funding package includes £8.9 million from First Bus and the remainder through Norfolk’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) grant. The new fleet will add to the 76 electric buses already in service in Norwich, expanding coverage of zero tailpipe emission public transport across the county.

First Bus to operate 24 new e-buses in Norfolk

To support operations, the Caister Road depot in Great Yarmouth will be equipped to charge 10 electric buses serving Service 8, while the Vulcan Road depot in Norwich will accommodate 14 vehicles for routes 28, 36, 37 and 38. Construction work at Caister Road depot will begin later this year.

Piers Marlow, Managing Director of First Bus East of England, said: “We’re really pleased that more people across Norfolk will soon be able to enjoy the benefits of electric buses, and we’re proud to be working with Norfolk County Council to make this possible. Electric buses are already transforming travel in Norwich, delivering smoother, quieter journeys while helping to cut emissions, and this next phase extends those benefits to even more communities. This joint investment in vehicles and depot infrastructure is another important step towards a cleaner, healthier future for everyone who lives, works and travels in Norfolk.”

Councillor Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, added: “This is a landmark moment for public transport in Norfolk. We’ve been working closely with operators to support their electrification plans, and I’m delighted that our partnership with First Bus has secured this significant investment for Norfolk. We know from feedback that passengers in Norwich are already enjoying the benefits that come with travelling on an electric vehicle – and now even more people will get to enjoy the enhanced passenger experience with these new buses operating in Great Yarmouth and on routes out to Mulbarton and Horsford.”