Charged up and ready to roll: Somerset welcomes electric buses
The first new electric vehicles (EVs) from First Bus in Somerset have entered service this week, ushering in the area’s first zero-emissions buses. In total, 13 single deckers, and 12 double deckers, will be rolled out over the coming months for passengers on routes across Taunton, Wellington, Burnham-on-sea, Bridgwater and Minehead.
Funding for the EV buses and supporting charging infrastructure was secured in partnership with Somerset Council, with £2.2m from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) ZEBRA 2 (Zero Emission Bus Regional Area) funding. First Bus invested a further £12.5m in the project.
The introduction of the new EVs will mean that when all 25 buses are in service by the summer, over half of the total fleet (40%) will be electric, carrying around 40,000 passengers per week.
EV routes
- 1 - Taunton - Pyrland & Priorswood - Every 30 mins
- IE - Silk Mills Park & Ride - Musgrove Park Hospital - Taunton – Pyrland - Every 60 minutes
- 4 - Taunton - Wheatley Crescent & Lane Estate – Every 60 mins
- 6 - Taunton - South Road, Juniper Road, Normandy Drive & Wordsworth Drive - Every 60 mins
- 7 - Taunton – Galmington - Every 45 minutes
- 21 21A Taunton - Burnham-on-Sea via Bridgwater - Every 35 minutes
- 22 22A X22 22C Taunton - Rockwell Green, Wellington, Tonedale and Tiverton - Every 15 minutes
- 28 28A - Taunton – Minehead via Bishops Lydeard - Every 40 minutes
The state-of-the-art, zero emission buses, mean cleaner air and quieter streets for local people – cutting pollution and reducing carbon emissions. On board, the buses include practical features such as USB charging points, on-screen and audio announcements, and improved accessibility design to better support all passengers.
The vehicles will operate from the newly upgraded Hamilton Road depot in Taunton and Minehead depot, which have been electrified with charging infrastructure to support the new EVs.
Simon Goff, First Bus South’s Managing Director, said: "The arrival of our first electric buses in Somerset marks a major step forward in delivering a cleaner, greener future for public transport in the region. For our passengers, these vehicles offer a smoother, quieter, and more comfortable journey, while significantly cutting emissions and improving air quality.
“It's also a proud moment for our team, who’ve been instrumental in getting us to this point and are excited to operate and maintain these state-of-the-art vehicles. This is just the beginning of a transformation that benefits both our communities and our colleagues."
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Waste Services, added: “These initiatives remain a major part of supporting our drive to creating a cleaner and more sustainable county. Our partnership with First Bus South is a key part of finding innovative solutions to delivering this change and we thank them for their major investment in Somerset’s future.”
