£1.8m investment supports new electric buses across Hampshire
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A £1.8 million investment from Hampshire County Council will support the roll out of a new fleet of electric buses on key routes across the county.
The funding, drawn from the 2025/26 Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), will be used to install charging and power infrastructure at Stagecoach’s Farlington depot in Portsmouth.
Three applications were submitted by bus operators seeking support for electric bus infrastructure, reflecting growing momentum behind the shift to battery-electric fleets across Hampshire’s transport network.
The successful bid from Stagecoach will see new charging infrastructure, upgraded electrical cabling and enhanced grid connections installed at the depot.
According to the council’s report, the scheme is expected to unlock private sector investment in 77 new electric buses.
Once introduced, the fleet will operate on routes linking Portsmouth, Havant, Hayling Island, Waterlooville and Petersfield, significantly expanding zero-emission travel options across the region.
Hampshire County Council said its approach—funding infrastructure rather than vehicles directly—would maximise private investment while accelerating the transition to cleaner transport.
Marc Reddy, Managing Director of Stagecoach South, said: “Stagecoach welcomes the support from Hampshire County Council, which represents an important step forward in accelerating the transition to a zero-emission bus network.
“This investment will enable us to deliver the infrastructure needed to support a new generation of electric vehicles across the region. These improvements will help us introduce newer, greener vehicles, enhance journey times and provide a better experience for all our customers.
“They also reflect our ongoing commitment to reducing emissions, improving air quality and providing more sustainable public transport for the communities we serve. We look forward to working closely with our partners to deliver these upgrades and to ensuring passengers benefit from a cleaner, quieter and more reliable bus service.”