Pulhams launches electric buses and depot improvements following £8m investment

Pulhams is launching 15 electric buses into service and has unveiled significant improvements to one of its depots, thanks to a multi-million investment in clean technology.

The first of the new vehicles and numerous depot upgrades, including 16 electric charging points, were revealed at a celebratory event at the Golden Valley depot in Staverton last week.

Pulhams confirmed the £8.17m investment will save more than 700 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

The new fleet includes seven double-decker Wrightbus Electroliners with 442kWh battery packs, and eight single-decker Wrightbus GB Kites, four 11.6m variants with 528 kWh battery packs and four 10.2m variants with 442kWh battery packs. All have been developed and built by Wrightbus in its UK-based factory in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

The project has seen £6.63m spent on the electric buses and £1.54m on charging infrastructure. The investment has also delivered a new bus wash, a new fuelling system, refurbished offices and improved driver rest facilities at Pulhams’ Cheltenham site.

Go-Ahead Group, the parent company of Pulhams, invested £4.7m, while £3.21m came from the Department for Transport’s ZEBRA (Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas) scheme. Gloucestershire County Council contributed £255,000.

Luke Marion, Managing Director of Pulhams, said: “This is a considerable investment in starting our electrification journey at Pulhams, as we continue to innovate and modernise our fleet and infrastructure.

“This will significantly improve air quality in the communities we serve and will further help make bus travel an even better option for travelling.

“The investment in our facilities at our Cheltenham site brings it up to the standard we envisioned after acquiring the site from Swanbrook Transport in November 2024.

“I’m grateful the company has been able to invest heavily into a project of this scale and for the support of key stakeholders who have made this possible. This is a great example of healthy partnerships working together to create better outcomes for all.”

The new buses and improved depot facilities were unveiled at a special launch event held on Friday 6th March, with various dignitaries attending, including local councillors, council officers and NHS staff.

Cllr Roger Whyborn, cabinet member for sustainable transport at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “This is a really important step forward in modernising bus services in Gloucestershire.

“By supporting this investment, we’re helping to make bus travel a more attractive option for local people, improve air quality and cut carbon emissions.

“It’s also a strong example of what can be achieved when councils, operators and government work together, combining local investment with national funding.

“These new electric buses and upgraded depot facilities will deliver long‑term benefits for passengers, communities and the environment.”

John McLeister, Managing Director for Sales in the UK and Ireland at Wrightbus, said: “It’s been a pleasure for Wrightbus to support Pulhams as it embarks on its electrification journey.

“Wrightbus is proudly marking its 80th anniversary this year and we’re leading the way globally in zero-emission bus technology. These Gen 2 Electroliners are the most efficient battery electric buses we have ever produced, with class-leading range, charging speed and battery life.

“This investment from Pulhams shows the importance of zero-emission transport. And because the buses have been developed and built in our UK factory in Ballymena, this fleet of buses will not only help to improve air quality across Cheltenham, but will also support good green jobs in the wider UK manufacturing sector.”

It is an exciting period of expansion and growth at Pulhams, with the bus and coach operator last year introducing five new executive coaches for use on tours, day trips and private hire following a £1.5m investment.

Since the Go-Ahead Group acquired Pulhams, more than 60 vehicles have been added to the fleet, taking it to more than 150. It has also recruited more than 60 new staff to support network expansion.