Stagecoach completes first of four EV-first bus depots to electrify fleet
Stagecoach has finished construction on its first electric-focused bus depot in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, marking a significant milestone in the company’s fleet electrification strategy.
The Chesterfield facility will house 57 electric buses scheduled to begin operation in spring 2025, replacing over two-thirds of the diesel buses currently serving Chesterfield and northeastern Derbyshire.
The depot features 27 dual DC 120kW chargers with 54 charging sockets and includes a substantial 2.5MVA power upgrade to handle the increased electrical demand.
A rooftop solar installation currently under construction will generate approximately 200MWh of power annually at roughly half the cost of grid electricity. This solar system is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 48 tonnes each year while decreasing grid dependency and energy costs.
The Chesterfield depot is the first of four electrified sites being developed through a partnership between Stagecoach and fleet electrification specialists VEV. When completed, these facilities will support 150 electric buses across Chesterfield, Leamington, Nuneaton, and Rugby.
VEV is implementing its VEV-IQ smart charging and energy management platform at the site. This system allows Stagecoach to monitor vehicle charge status, location, and range while providing comprehensive fleet performance reports.
“Our Chesterfield EV depot marks a significant step forward in our electrification journey. The sophisticated VEV-IQ platform provides us with the insights and control we need to optimise our fleet operations, make informed decisions about our business & enable additional revenue generation. We look forward to replicating this success with VEV at our other Leamington, Nuneaton, and Rugby sites,” said Tony Cockcroft, Stagecoach asset management director.
Mike Nakrani, VEV CEO, emphasized that the project goes beyond simply installing charging infrastructure: “The completion of the Chesterfield depot is the first deliverable in our relationship with Stagecoach to support both their strategic and operational goals on fleet electrification. This isn’t just about installing chargers – it’s about providing a complete solution that encompasses fleet analysis, infrastructure, power optimisation, staff training, and ongoing operational support to ensure a successful transition of the bus network to electric vehicles.”
The new depot was funded through a partnership between Stagecoach, Derbyshire County Council, and the UK government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) 2 scheme.
ZEBRA 2 provides up to £142.8m in funding to accelerate the adoption of Zero Emission Buses in areas outside of London.
