Electric bus fleet to start operating next year

Taunton bus depot will get an upgrade to install electric charging points

Electric buses will begin operating on five routes across Somerset next year.

Almost 30 new electric double-decker buses will run on routes around Taunton, Burnham-on-Sea, Wellington and Minehead.

Planning permission has now been granted for a new substation and charging points at First Bus South's Taunton depot on Hamilton Road with work due to start next month.

The new electric buses would start operating from Spring 2025.

First Bus operate most of the routes in Somerset

The Department for Transport (DfT) announced in late-March that it would be providing £43.4m of grant funding to councils across the south west to help fund more than 350 new double-decker electric buses, replacing existing diesel models on key routes.

Somerset Council has received £2.2m of funding from the zero emission bus regional area (ZEBRA) scheme, along with £12.5m from First Bus South, which operates Buses of Somerset.

A spokesman said: “Buses of Somerset’s depots in Taunton and Minehead will be electrified, as part of a joint bid with Somerset Council which secured a £2.2m grant from the DfT’s ZEBRA scheme, alongside a substantial investment of £12.5m from First Bus South, which operates Buses of Somerset.

“Work is expected to start in late October, and will complete in early-2025.

“Once works are complete, the depots will support 26 brand new electric buses which will serve communities across Somerset.”