Devon County Council has been awarded £7.53 million in funding from the Department for Transport to introduce new zero emission buses across the county. The investment, part of an expansion of the Zero Emission Bus Areas (ZEBRA) projects in the south west and south east, is expected to benefit thousands of passengers.
The council plans to deploy a fleet of around 90 electric buses, replacing older diesel vehicles. This move aims to cut harmful emissions, improve air quality, and enhance journeys for people travelling for work, education, and healthcare.
Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, cabinet member for climate change and biodiversity, said the ambition is to encourage more people in Devon to travel by bus. She described the funding as a vital investment to upgrade the local bus network, adding that cleaner, greener buses benefit passengers and the environment.
Peter Knight, managing director at Stagecoach South West, welcomed the funding, stating that working with the council, the zero-emission buses will help replace older models with modern electric alternatives. He emphasised that such investment is vital for transitioning to a greener fleet and encouraging bus use for everyday travel.
Nationally, the government's new investment of £73.2 million will deliver 484 zero emission buses across England, building on the existing ZEBRA programme, which has already funded over 2,500 cleaner buses.
