First Bus deploys first repowered electric buses in Bath amid £150 million regional investment

The English town of Bath has welcomed the first repowered electric buses to enter service in the West of England.

The double-decker vehicles, which have been converted from mid-life diesel buses into battery-electric models, are among 27 repowered buses scheduled to enter operation in Bath over the coming months. The deployment forms part of a broader investment programme that will also see 137 new battery-electric buses introduced across the West of England network.

According to UK trade media outlet routeone, the repowered battery-electric buses are converted by Wrightbus subsidiary NewPower. The bus manufacturer had opened the re-powering service by launching NewPower in June 2024, a new entity headquartered at the former location of EV startup Arrival. Also EV-to-EV conversion is included in the division’s offer (as in this Metroline’s order). Recently the other UK-based repowering specialist Kleandrive have been rescued from administration by former Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer’s PETL.

First Bus expands electric fleet in Bath and Bristol

The repowered vehicles will operate alongside 17 new battery-electric buses in Bath, four in Weston-super-Mare and 116 buses assigned to routes operated from the Lawrence Hill depot in Bristol. Additional vehicles are also expected to support the transition of the Hengrove depot in south Bristol towards fully electric operations.

The conversion process involves removing the diesel engine and gearbox and replacing them with battery-electric driveline components. New wiring systems and supporting hardware are installed, while selected mechanical parts are replaced. The vehicles also undergo a complete interior and exterior refurbishment.

According to First Bus, the repowered buses will appear and operate as newly rebuilt vehicles while extending the useful life of existing fleet assets.

Depot electrification progresses across the West of England

The arrival of the first repowered buses coincides with ongoing infrastructure works at First Bus depots in Bath and Bristol. Electrification is nearing completion at the Bath depot, located between the River Avon and the Kennet and Avon Canal, while charging infrastructure is also being installed at the Lawrence Hill facility.

The programme is supported by £70 million in investment from First Bus and £20 million in government funding secured through the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. By spring 2027, total investment in electric buses and charging infrastructure across the region is expected to reach approximately £150 million.

By the end of 2025, more than 250 electric buses are expected to be operating across the West of England network.