Coventry aims to become UK’s first electric bus city

Coventry has set it’s sights on becoming the first city in the UK to have an all-electric bus fleet by 2025, as it works towards reaching net-zero. 

Coventry City Council has added 50 new electric double-decker buses to its fleet as part of a £150m project to become the UK’s first fully electric bus city by 2025. 

West Midlands Combined Authority, of which Coventry is a part of, has aims of becoming net-zero by 2041, while the city has agreed to reducing carbon emissions by at least 55% 1990 levels by 2030. 

Coventry City Council’s cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change, Cllr Jim O’Boyle, said: ‘A quarter of the council’s fleet are now all electric, and we have 607 charging points in the city – more than any other city outside of London. 

‘This is all part of our joint efforts to help lead on the green industrial revolution and cut our carbon footprint. There are a number of partners involved and it highlights the excellent joint working relations between the different organisations involved.’ 

The Transport for West Midlands scheme, which includes £50m of funding from the Department for Transport, will eventually see up to 300 new vehicles brought into the fleet. 

Funding will also allow the city to improve charging infrastructure and install charge points at bus depots across Coventry and Warwickshire. 

Investment into an all-electric bus fleet is one aspect of the wider TfWM plan to support the West Midlands region net-zero target of 2041. Improvements are also being made to rail, tram and cycle routes. 

The 50 new buses add to the ten already in use and National Express has committed another 80 for early next year. The company has already invested over £60m as part of the ‘Coventry’s Electric’ programme 

Tom Stables, the National Express UK CEO, said: ‘Our vision is to become the UK’s most sustainable bus and coach company and it’s been great to see this month’s COP27 putting a real focus on how businesses can play their part in addressing climate change. 

‘More people using public transport has significant benefits for society including safer roads, increased access to opportunities, reduced congestion, improved air quality and more space in our cities.’

Recent data showed that the number of electric vehicles being sold in the UK is rising significantly.

Picture by Shaun Fellows / Shine Pix Ltd