Stagecoach has completed the electrification of its Chesterfield bus depot, the first of four sites being upgraded in partnership with e-fleet solutions provider VEV. The project will support the introduction of 57 electric buses in Spring 2025, replacing over two-thirds of the depot’s diesel fleet, which serves Chesterfield and northeastern Derbyshire.
The upgrade was funded through the UK government’s ZEBRA 2 scheme, Derbyshire County Council, and Stagecoach. Chesterfield is the largest depot in the initiative, with similar projects underway in Leamington, Nuneaton, and Rugby. A total of 150 electric buses will be deployed across all four sites.
The Chesterfield depot now features 27 dual 120kW DC chargers from Eko Energetyka, enabling 54 simultaneous charging points. A 2.5MVA power upgrade has been completed, and a 234kWp rooftop solar system is under construction, expected to generate 200MWh of electricity annually and reduce carbon emissions by around 48 tonnes per year.
VEV, backed by energy firm Vitol, has managed the project from fleet and power analysis to charger installation, staff training, and ongoing operational support. The company has also integrated its VEV-IQ smart charging and energy management platform, which connects with Stagecoach’s vehicle telematics to optimise charging, manage power loads, and minimise energy costs.
With Chesterfield’s electrification complete, work will continue on the remaining depots as Stagecoach transitions to a lower-emission fleet.
