Fleet electrification and battery storage specialist Zenobē has announced an agreement to finance 169 electric buses for Transport UK.
As part of the deal, Zenobē will also design and build the fleet charging infrastructure for Transport UK sites in Twickenham, Battersea and Beddington, as well as deliver the expansion of existing infrastructure at its depot in Walworth.
Transport UK’s Battersea depot is currently undergoing a complete redevelopment, including the construction of a new freestanding gantry system that will free up parking space and allow electric buses to move more freely.
The delivery programme includes all aspects of infrastructure required to operate an electric fleet, including the bespoke design and build of the infrastructure and the integration of EV fleet management software to manage and minimise energy costs.
These sites will also benefit from energy procurement support from Zenobē, which will purchase electricity on behalf of Transport UK and provide energy market reports and guidance so the operator can keep on top of energy pricing within a fluctuating market.
All depots are expected to be complete by the first quarter of 2027, before the arrival of the first batch of vehicles.
The financing agreement removes upfront cost barriers for Transport UK and enables it to deploy a significant number of vehicles over a shorter period.
Paul Hennigan, Fleet and Facilities Director – Transport UK London Bus, said: “Zero-emission electric buses contribute to improved air quality and over the past 12 months, our partnership with Zenobē has enabled us to introduce a record number of these vehicles.”
