Go-Ahead set to surpass 1000 zero emission buses

• Go-Ahead is adding 201 zero emission buses to its regional fleet with the support of a £112 million joint investment
• This significant roll out of electric vehicles marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of public transport in rural communities across the UK
• Go-Ahead's zero emission bus fleet is set to exceed 1100 vehicles by March 2026

The UK’s leading operator of zero-emission buses, Go-Ahead, is set to accelerate its electric fleet to over 1,000 vehicles following a successful bid for funding from the government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme.

The ZEBRA program was introduced by the UK Department for Transport (DFT) in 2021 to help local transport authorities outside London to introduce zero-emission buses and the infrastructure needed to support them.

As part of the scheme’s second round of funding, Go-Ahead’s local authority partners have received £44 million in funding to support a major rollout of zero emission buses in rural areas across the UK.

This forms part of £112 million in pooled investments that will see the introduction of 201 zero-emission buses to Go-Ahead’s fleet at regional bus companies, including Plymouth CityBus, Go Cornwall Bus, Go North East, Pulhams Coaches, Salisbury Reds, Southern Vectis, East Yorkshire Buses, and Brighton & Hove and Metrobus.

Go-Ahead is the UK’s leading operator of zero emission buses with more than 700 electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses on the road, and this substantial addition will bring the company’s total zero-emission bus fleet to over 1100 by March 2026.

This marks another significant step towards Go-Ahead’s plans to achieve a fully decarbonised bus fleet by 2035. 

The total investment, comprising both buses and infrastructure, includes the £44 million ZEBRA contribution and £6 million from local authorities. Go-Ahead’s investment totals £62 million.

This collaborative effort underscores the pivotal role of public-private partnerships in advancing forward sustainable transport solutions.

Each ZEB deployed by Go-Ahead saves on average 60 tonnes of carbon emissions per year, contributing significantly to the fight against climate change and to cleaner air and a healthier environment for communities across the UK.

"We are proud to lead the way in electrifying urban transit and accelerating the transition to cleaner, greener transport and we extend our gratitude to all our partners for trusting in us to deliver," said Miguel Parras, CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of The Go-Ahead Group.

"Our ongoing partnership with local authority partners and our investment in cutting-edge EV (Electric Vehicle) technology are driving meaningful reductions in carbon emissions and delivering tangible benefits to communities across the UK."  

Matt Carney, CEO – Go-Ahead Bus said: "Today’s news cements our position as leaders in delivering zero emission public transport. Our collaboration with local authority partners, supported by the Government's ZEBRA scheme, reflects our shared vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future. This expansion of our electric bus fleet not only demonstrates our commitment to reducing emissions but also marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of public transport in our areas of operation. We are dedicated to contributing to a greener, more sustainable future. I'm confident we'll achieve our goal of being fully zero-emission by 2035."

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “As part of our plan to improve local transport across the country, we’re providing a further £143 million to improve journeys for bus passengers particularly in rural areas, with almost a thousand brand new, zero-emission buses due to hit the road.

“This latest investment into our bus fleet comes on top of the £3.5 billion we have invested into our bus network since 2020, protecting and improving bus routes into 2025 as well as extending the £2 bus fare cap until the end of 2024, made possible by reallocated HS2 funding.”

Kinetic is the majority owner of Go-Ahead alongside joint venture partner Globalvia. Kinetic is Australasia’s largest zero-emission bus operator with an electric bus fleet expected to grow to 300 this year.

This story was originally published by Go-Ahead.

Further enquiries
Anupa Devi
The Go-Ahead Group
anupa.devi@go-ahead.com