ESSEX'S first fully electric bus depot is now operation, serving routes in Thurrock and Basildon.

It follows completion of a £30.6 million project delivered by First Bus in partnership with Essex County Council and backed by the Department for Transport's Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA2) scheme.

The transformation of the Cherrydown Way depot in Basildon marks a major milestone in Essex's journey towards cleaner, greener public transport. All 55 new zero tailpipe emission buses are now in service across Basildon and South Essex, delivering quieter journeys, improved air quality, and a better experience for customers.

The project was supported by a £4.8 million ZEBRA2 grant from the Department for Transport, alongside a £25.8 million investment from First Bus. The funding has delivered new high-capacity charging infrastructure at the depot, enabling buses to fully recharge overnight using Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) electricity.

Simon Mathieson, Managing Director of First Bus East of England, said: "Working in close partnership with Essex County Council, we've delivered a once-in-a-generation investment that will make bus travel cleaner, quieter and more sustainable for years to come.

"The electrification of our Basildon depot is another important step in our mission to run an entirely electric fleet by 2035."

Cllr Mark Platt, Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport at Essex County Council, said: "This investment in Basildon's bus network shows what can be achieved when local and national partners work together to deliver real change.

"These new zero tailpipe emission buses will make a difference to air quality and the passenger experience, supporting our ambition for a greener, more sustainable transport network across Essex."

The Basildon project is part of First Bus's national decarbonisation programme. So far over 1,500 electric buses have been introduced making First Bus one of the UK's leaders in the transition to clean public transport. The new Basildon fleet will save an estimated 4,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually compared with the diesel buses they replace.

The completion of the project was celebrated at Basildon Depot, with an event attended by Cllr Mark Platt, Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport at Essex County Council, alongside representatives from the Department for Transport and Southend-on-Sea City Council.