Electrifying Stagecoach South West's Torquay bus depot

Stagecoach South West is electrifying bus operations across Torbay and North Devon, with a full electric fleet of 110 buses expected to be operational across Torquay, Barnstaple and Exeter in 2026. 

At Torquay, the depot is becoming one of Stagecoach’s first 100% electric bus depots. The investment supports 60 electric vehicles and the associated charging infrastructure needed to operate all Stagecoach bus services in Torbay. 

The challenge was to deliver reliable, high-powered depot charging while keeping day-to-day bus operations moving. Stagecoach needed infrastructure that could support a busy local network, manage charging within grid limits and give teams the visibility and control required to run electric services confidently. 

For passengers, the shift also needed to feel practical and positive: quieter journeys, improved comfort and reliable public transport across the bay. 

Stagecoach South West appointed VEV to support the transition from diesel to electric across three strategic depot sites in the South West. 

At Torquay, VEV completed the installation of 27 electric chargers, providing 54 charging sockets to support more than 60 electric buses. Across Torquay, Barnstaple and Exeter, VEV has delivered the design, build and management of high-powered direct current charging infrastructure with a combined charging capacity of 7,200kW. 

The infrastructure is managed through VEV IQ, our smart charging and digital energy management platform. VEV IQ brings together data from vehicles and charging infrastructure to help fleet teams monitor charger status, optimise power use and schedule charging so buses are ready for service. 

This is especially important at Torquay, where charging can be managed within site grid limits and scheduled to reduce exposure to more expensive early evening energy periods. 

The Torquay depot is now set up to support 100% electric bus operations, with charging infrastructure in place for more than 60 buses serving routes across Torbay. 

Early feedback from Stagecoach has been positive. Drivers have experienced a step change in comfort and noise levels, while passengers have noticed the quieter, smoother experience on board. Stagecoach has also started to see early proof points in how it maintains vehicles, trains drivers and delivers electric bus services to customers. 

VEV IQ supports the operation behind the scenes, helping Stagecoach manage charging schedules, power use and depot performance across the South West sites. 

The project forms part of a £35 million investment in electric buses and charging infrastructure for Torbay, supporting Stagecoach South West’s wider commitment to cleaner, quieter and more sustainable public transport. 

Torquay shows how depot electrification can move from infrastructure installation to day-to-day operation. 

The site brings together high-powered direct current charging, smart charging software and close project collaboration between VEV and Stagecoach South West. VEV’s role covered the design, build and management of charging infrastructure across the three-site programme, with Torquay becoming a key milestone in Stagecoach’s transition to electric bus operations. 

For fleet teams, VEV IQ provides the visibility and control needed to manage electric buses at scale. It uses live information from vehicles and chargers to support operational decisions, optimise energy use and help ensure buses are charged and ready to leave depot on time. 

For customers, the result is quieter, more comfortable journeys across Torbay.