Stagecoach lands order for 170 Volvo/MCV e-buses for Manchester region

Stagecoach has announced plans to introduce 170 electric buses in Stockport (Manchester area): it’s the operator’s largest electric bus order to date. Stagecoach is introducing a further 122 new fully electric buses in key transport networks across the UK in the next 12 months.

The electric fleet of 150 double deck and 20 single deck vehicles, which will be produced by Volvo/MCV. This purchase comes in a time where Volvo Buses has recently announced its plans to stop production of complete buses (and e-buses) in Europe. However, the UK has been since the beginning one of the market addressed with the new BZL electric bus chassis.

The order represents an investment by Stagecoach of £37.2m (plus £35.7m from Greater Manchester’s successful ZEBRA bid and an additional contribution of £12.5m by TFGM/GMCA) and will be delivered in summer 2024, according to plans. 

Stagecoach largest electric bus order so far

The new electric buses “will be fully accessible, with wheelchair bays, hearing induction loops, audio and visual announcement systems and anti-slip flooring”, Stagecoach states.

Stagecoach has also recently introduced its first fully electric bus cities in Perth, Aberdeen, Inverness and Dunfermline in Scotland and in 2020 made one of the biggest single investments in electric vehicles in Europe with its double-decker fleet in Manchester. 

These investments as well as its order for Stockport builds further on the operator’s commitment to have a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035. 

Sam Greer, Engineering Director for Stagecoach said: “We’re excited to be announcing our largest electric vehicle order to date, which will be a major step forward in improving air quality across the region. This builds further on the investment being made by Stagecoach across the country to support the transition to a zero-emission bus fleet.”