Stagecoach’s Chesterfield Bus Depot Goes Electric in First of Four Sites Completed by VEV

• 57 electric buses will be deployed in Spring 2025, replacing more than two-thirds of Stagecoach’s diesel fleet serving Chesterfield and North Eastern Derbyshire
• The project has been funded by the ZEBRA2 government scheme, Derbyshire County Council and Stagecoach
• Chesterfield is the first and largest of four planned electrification projects between VEV and Stagecoach for 150 electric buses – the other locations are Leamington, Nuneaton and Rugby
• A rooftop solar power installation of 234kWp is underway at Chesterfield, projected to generate ~200MWh annually at roughly half the cost of grid electricity and saving 48 tonnes of carbon per year
• VEV-IQ has been installed to optimise charging schedules and enable sophisticated power purchasing to minimise energy costs aligned with fleet operations

London, UK (11^th March 2024); VEV, the e-fleet solutions provider backed by Vitol – a world-leader in the energy sector, has announced the completion of Stagecoach’s electric bus hub at its Chesterfield depot. The project is one of four depot electrification initiatives announced between VEV and Stagecoach, which will collectively support 150 electric buses in Chesterfield, Leamington, Nuneaton and Rugby.

Working closely with Stagecoach, the UK’s largest bus and coach operator, VEV provided comprehensive support for its electrification strategy starting with detailed fleet and power analysis, followed by charger installation, staff training, 24/7 operational assistance, and generating insights on its electric fleet operations.

The Chesterfield rollout will see 57 electric buses deployed in Spring 2025, replacing more than two-thirds of Stagecoach’s diesel fleet serving Chesterfield and northeastern Derbyshire. It received partial funding through the ZEBRA 2 scheme and was further funded by Derbyshire County Council and Stagecoach itself.

The depot infrastructure features 27 dual DC 120kW chargers manufactured by Eko Energetyka, providing 54 charging sockets, and a 2.5MVA power upgrade.

A solar installation of 234kWp is currently under construction at the site, with rooftop solar panels which will generate approximately 200MWh of power annually at roughly half the cost of grid electricity. This renewable energy integration is expected to save 48 tonnes of carbon per year while reducing demand on the grid and associated energy costs.

VEV’s end-to-end approach to the site began with a detailed analysis of Stagecoach’s operational data, including running boards, power consumption patterns, and business operating requirements. This intelligence informed the design of the bespoke solution for the site, to ensure reliable fleet operations and minimise costs.

Installation of the smart charging and energy management platform, VEV-IQ, enables Stagecoach to utilise dynamic load management and optimise power purchasing. The software platform interfaces with bus telematics to monitor vehicle state of charge, location, and range, providing Stagecoach with comprehensive fleet performance insights through detailed reporting capabilities.

Mike Nakrani, CEO of VEV said:

“The completion of the Chesterfield depot is the first deliverable in our relationship with Stagecoach to support both their strategic and operational goals on fleet electrification. This isn’t just about installing chargers – it’s about providing a complete solution that encompasses fleet analysis, infrastructure, power optimisation, staff training, and ongoing operational support to ensure a successful transition of the bus network to electric vehicles.

Our VEV-IQ platform is the glue that holds this solution together, enabling Stagecoach to optimise their power consumption, reduce costs. There are very few solutions on the market that can deliver this level of sophisticated power management and operational insight.”

Tony Cockcroft, Asset Management Director of Stagecoach said:

“Our Chesterfield EV depot marks a significant step forward in our electrification journey. VEV’s support has been crucial in ensuring a smooth transition to electric operations. The sophisticated VEV-IQ platform provides us with the insights and control we need to optimise our fleet operations, make informed decisions about our business & enable additional revenue generation. We look forward to replicating this success with VEV at our other Leamington, Nuneaton and Rugby sites.”

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About VEV

VEV helps organisations deliver on their carbon reduction ambitions with an end-to-end fleet electrification solution that integrates across vehicles, charging infrastructure and power. VEV is owned by Vitol, a world leader in energy, which to date has committed circa $2 billion to sustainable energy initiatives worldwide.

VEV navigates the complexities of EV transformation to design and implement cost-effective EV fleets optimised for specific fleet requirements. It supports EV fleet operations to guarantee resilience and keep mission-critical fleets running at scale. Bespoke, scalable business solutions are designed around the customer’s own fleet data analysed by a powerful assessment tool, VEV-IQ, and VEV’s experts in energy and sustainable e-mobility. VEV sets businesses up for success in an electrified future.

More information at VEV.com

About Stagecoach

Founded in 1980, Stagecoach has established itself as the UK’s largest transport operator, with services connecting more than 100 major towns and cities in England, Scotland, and Wales.

Stagecoach works with its partners to deliver a greener, smarter, safer, healthier, and fairer country. Providing extensive expertise in commercial and contracted markets, Stagecoach assist national and regional government to deliver on ambitious plans for their citizens, communities, and local economy. Its team of 25,000 employees are proud to serve our customers and be an integral part of their local communities.

More information at Stagecoachbus.com/