22 Sep 2025
Stagecoach West Scotland unveiled its fleet of 26 fully electric buses and new charging infrastructure at an official launch event today (22 September) at its depot in Ardrossan, Ayrshire – a fitting celebration on World Car Free Day, which promotes sustainable transport and cleaner air in communities across the globe.
The business has invested over £18million to introduce a fleet of electric double-decker buses (Enviro400EV) to North and East Ayrshire, serving the popular service 11 route between Ardrossan to Kilmarnock. This brings the total number of electric buses operating in Ayrshire to ninety-two with more investment planned as part of a significant drive to bring sustainable transport to the area.
The electric vehicles launched today are Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV which is a next-generation battery-electric double-decker bus designed for both urban and interurban routes. Its extended range enables it to connect smaller villages with larger towns, significantly enhancing connectivity across communities while making significant progress in reducing emissions and improving air quality.
In addition to upgrading their vehicle fleet, Stagecoach has invested in the electric infrastructure to support the new EV’s. At their depot in Ardrossan there is now a suite of electric chargers to keep the new double decker buses fully powered and Kilmarnock depot and bus station have been upgraded with additional chargers at the depot and opportunity charge pantographs at the bus station. All Stagecoach’s bus depots across mainland Ayrshire now have charging facilities to service the fleet across the region.
Stagecoach West Scotland Managing Director, Fiona Doherty said: “We are excited to launch our fleet of electric double decker buses and new charging infrastructure in Ardrossan today. Our ongoing multimillion-pound investment will decarbonise our fleet while bringing state-of-the-art bus travel to our customers across Ayrshire.
“It is also World Car Free Day today and as we invest in a new EV fleet to bring more sustainable public transport, we would encourage everyone to leave their cars at home and give our new buses a go. We know that every car left at home and swapped for bus journeys does deliver a large carbon saving.”
Marie Connell, National Account Manager for Alexander Dennis, said: “We’re proud to support Stagecoach West Scotland in delivering cleaner, quieter and more sustainable transport for communities across Ayrshire. The introduction of our next-generation Enviro400EV electric double deckers on route 11 marks a significant step forward in the transition to zero-emission mobility, and we’re delighted to see these Scottish-built buses making a real difference on such a vital corridor between Kilmarnock and Ardrossan.”
The launch is part of Stagecoach’s drive to target a net zero UK bus fleet by 2035. The new electric buses will reduce Stagecoach’s net carbon impact by 1,433 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) per year compared to like-for-like diesels.
If only 10 people, who would travel 8,000 miles per year by car swapped to the new all-electric buses, the carbon footprint would reduce further by approximately 602 tCO2e per year.
The Scottish Government has set a legally binding target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2045. Transport has a critical role to play in the economy reaching net zero, as rising car use has resulted in a rise in carbon emissions from the sector.
Image: Peter Devlin
