London, UK (10th September 2025) – Stagecoach South West has announced a major partnership with e-fleet solutions provider VEV to accelerate bus electrification across Devon, marking a significant milestone in the operator’s sustainable public transport transformation for the region.
Stagecoach South West has appointed VEV to design, build and manage high-powered DC charging infrastructure across three strategic depot locations: Barnstaple, Torquay and Exeter. The comprehensive charging network will deliver a combined capacity of 7,200kW, supporting the operator’s transition to a fully electric fleet across North Devon and Torbay.
Construction has started at the firm’s Torquay depot, which will serve as the flagship installation featuring 27 x 150kW high-power chargers – the largest of the three sites. The operator’s Exeter depot will house 10 chargers, while Barnstaple will accommodate 11 chargers, creating a robust charging ecosystem across the region.
All charging infrastructure will be managed through VEV’s award-winning smart charging and digital energy management platform, VEV-IQ. The platform will monitor and optimise power usage, charging scheduling, and charger status across all three sites, ensuring maximum efficiency and reliability for Stagecoach’s electric bus operations.
Stagecoach’s new electric buses will transform the passenger experience across the region, providing quieter, smoother and more comfortable journeys with the latest accessibility features, delivering a much-needed boost to the region’s public transport network.
Peter Knight, Stagecoach South West Managing Director, said:
“Our partnership with VEV represents a major step forward in our commitment to sustainable public transport across the South West. The expertise and technology that VEV brings, particularly their VEV-IQ platform, gives us confidence in delivering reliable, efficient electric bus services to our customers.
“The comprehensive charging infrastructure across Barnstaple, Torquay and Exeter will form the backbone of our electric fleet operations, supporting our goal of having the full electric fleet of 110 buses operational by early 2026. As part of this project, our Torquay depot will be 100% EV; which marks an exciting milestone not only in Stagecoach South West’s decarbonisation journey, but also in that of Stagecoach Group. This investment underscores our dedication to reducing emissions while enhancing the quality of public transport for communities across North Devon and Torbay.”
SImon Cubitt, Commercial Director (Bus and Coach) of VEV, said:
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Stagecoach on another key project for their business, delivering a comprehensive charging infrastructure that will support the seamless transition to electric bus operations across Devon.
“This project demonstrates our commitment to supporting operators throughout their electrification journey – from initial infrastructure deployment through to ongoing optimisation via our VEV-IQ platform. By taking a digital-first approach to fleet electrification, we’re ensuring that Stagecoach can operate efficiently and cost-effectively while delivering a cleaner, more comfortable journey for their customers.”
The VEV-IQ platform will provide real-time visibility and control over Stagecoach South West’s entire charging ecosystem, supporting charger uptime, energy cost optimisation, and operational insights that maximise asset utilisation and performance across all three depot locations.