Zero Tailpipe Emission Double Deck Buses Roll into Plymouth

A bold new era for public transport is arriving in Plymouth—quietly. The first of 50 zero-emission, electric double-decker buses have touched down in Plymouth, marking a significant shift in how the city moves its people. For bus and coach operators across the UK, this transformation offers a powerful case study in what’s possible when government, local authorities and transport operators pull together.

Go-Ahead Plymouth Citybus

Spearheaded by Plymouth Citybus, part of the Go-Ahead Group, this is no half-measure: the plan will see nearly half of Plymouth’s fleet replaced with electric vehicles by the end of the year. The first vehicle rolled in on 22nd April, with steady deliveries underway in preparation for a summer service launch.

A Multi-Partner Push for Change

The project is backed by a multi-agency coalition including Plymouth City Council, Cornwall Council, and the Department for Transport. The ambition is as much about infrastructure as it is about buses: Plymouth’s Milehouse depot is undergoing a comprehensive upgrade, transforming into a modern charging and maintenance hub designed to support the growing fleet.

At the heart of this £31.88 million venture is a significant vote of confidence from the operator. Plymouth Citybus is investing £19.6 million of its own funds, supported by £10.34 million from the Government’s ZEBRA 2 scheme and a further £1.94 million from the two local councils.

Richard Stevens, Managing Director of Plymouth Citybus and Go Cornwall Bus, said,

“The arrival of our first electric buses marks a huge step forward, not just for Plymouth Citybus but for the city as a whole,”

“Our team is thrilled to be part of this positive change, and we are fully committed to building a greener transport network for generations to come.”

What It Means for Operations

The new fleet won’t just benefit Plymouth’s urban core. Routes 21/A, 42 and 50/51 are all being electrified, while six of the new buses will head across the Tamar to serve route 70 on the Rame Peninsula, one of Cornwall Council’s supported bus routes. This cross-border approach highlights the potential for joined-up thinking on regional transport decarbonisation.

Supporting this leap in vehicle technology is a near-total rethink of operational logistics. The Milehouse depot upgrade includes installation of high-voltage chargers and vehicle servicing adaptations to suit the unique needs of electric buses, both vital considerations for any operator contemplating a similar fleet overhaul.

Cleaner Air, Lower Emissions

Environmental performance figures are striking. Over their projected lifetime, the fleet is expected to slash carbon emissions by nearly 80,000 tonnes. Add to that 28 tonnes of reduced nitrogen oxides (NOx) and one tonne of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) and it’s clear these buses pack a punch far beyond the passenger cabin.

But it’s not just about carbon. This is a transport model designed to support cleaner, more liveable cities. It aligns with local and national ambitions to tackle pollution, meet climate commitments and improve urban health outcomes, goals that many operators are now being tasked with supporting.

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Transport at Plymouth City Council, said,

“It’s fantastic to welcome Plymouth’s first electric buses and to be supporting the establishment of Milehouse as an electric bus depot,”

“This is a major milestone and demonstrates the commitment of all the project partners – and wider enhanced partnership – to delivering better bus services for the city.”

A Better Ride for Passengers

Passengers aren’t being left behind in the race for electrification. These new double-deckers feature a raft of accessibility upgrades. Each vehicle offers space for a second wheelchair user or multiple unfolded pushchairs, without compromising the standard wheelchair space. Audio-visual announcements have been added too, improving the passenger experience with clearer route information and stop alerts.

It’s a reminder that the future of buses isn’t just quieter and cleaner, it’s smarter and more inclusive.

Rebecca Riley, Head of Connectivity and Transport Policy at Cornwall Council, said,

“We want to support our residents to make greener and healthier choices about how they travel as well as provide sustainable services to connect our communities,”

“This work reflects the great partnership between neighbouring councils and transport operators as well as our commitment to decarbonising transport, which is a central theme of our Local Transport Plan.”

Next Stops: Falmouth and Truro

Cornwall isn’t stopping at the Rame Peninsula. The council has successfully secured further ZEBRA 2 funding to roll out electric buses in Falmouth and Truro, an indicator of the region’s broader intent to make sustainable transport the norm, not the exception.

Lessons for the Industry

Plymouth’s transition offers practical insights for operators across the UK. Beyond vehicle procurement, it showcases the importance of depot readiness, inter-agency collaboration and a clearly communicated passenger benefit. It also underlines the role that funding—public and private—plays in pushing past the tipping point from ambition to action.

For those yet to begin their own zero-emission journey, Plymouth serves as both inspiration and blueprint.

Final Word

In a world where transport is expected to do more with less, less carbon, less noise, less pollution, the arrival of these 50 electric double-deckers is a reminder that progress is possible, practical and already happening on British roads.