The operator has introduced a new fleet of Yutong electric buses for three routes in the North East
Stagecoach is introducing its first electric buses across Sunderland. Pelican Bus & Coach says it is delighted to have been able to supply 20 zero-emission Yutong single-deckers that are scheduled to enter service in February on the company’s E1, E2, and E6 routes between South Shields, Whitburn, and Sunderland.
The North East Combined Authority has funded the vehicles as part of a major £19.5m Levelling Up Fund investment to decarbonise transport in the region. Along with additional funding from the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme, in total 95 new electric buses will join the region’s growing electric fleet in 2025.
Managing Director of Stagecoach North East Steve Walker formally launched the electric buses at an event at the Stadium of Light with North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and the new Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander. Sunderland Mayor Allison Chisnall and stakeholders from across the region also attended. Steve said: “Moving to zero-emission buses is good for the communities we serve, helping to protect their environment and quality of life. It’s also important for the upskilling of our teams, giving them skills that can move forward with the industry.”
Mayor McGuinness added: “I pledged to make the North East the country’s greenest public transport network and we’re already delivering on that. I was pleased to welcome Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to the region and it was wonderful to hop on board the new buses which will soon be operating across Sunderland and South Tyneside.”
Ten twin electric charging points are being installed at Stagecoach’s Sunderland depot to serve the vehicles. Future phases of investment in the North East will see 18 more electric buses introduced on routes 30, 31 and 36 in Newcastle, adding to the over £300m that Stagecoach is investing nationally in 824 electric vehicles and their associated infrastructure as part of its drive to become net-zero in the UK by 2035.
Speaking about the company’s wider plans for electrification, Steve added: “By March 2026 we’ll have 40 sites live across the country and we’ll have added 500 more electric vehicles, giving us 1,083 zero-emission buses in total. That’s 13% of the fleet. Embracing decarbonisation also means adapting the way we work, positively improving our ways of working and the working environment.”
Ian Downie, Head of Yutong Sales at Pelican Bus & Coach, commented: “Pelican Bus & Coach is absolutely delighted to have provided these state-of-the-art zero tailpipe emission vehicles to Stagecoach. The vehicles are packed with customer-centric features, such as full electric air-conditioning, providing an unrivalled passenger experience. The team at Stagecoach has been fantastic to work with on this project and we look forward to seeing the vehicles in service. 200 trees will be planted in the UK in honour of this order milestone.”
