VEV supports rollout of electric buses in Dover

17 February 2026

VEV is proud to support the launch of the first-ever fully electric buses in East Kent, marking a major milestone in the county’s transition to cleaner, greener public transport.

Working in partnership with Stagecoach South East, Kent County Council and Dover District Council, the fleet of five zero-emission electric buses will operate on the Dover Fastrack network, funded through the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme. The introduction of these vehicles will deliver quieter journeys, reduced carbon emissions, and an enhanced customer experience for customers across Dover.

Set to go into service on 23rd February, the Volvo BZL electric buses will be capable of travelling up to 185 miles on a single charge, supported by a high-powered pantograph charger from VEV that will allow drivers to quickly top up the battery while waiting for customers to board and disembark at Dover Priory station.

VEV has also provided depot power supply and smart charging software for the project, delivering real-time visibility and control over the charging ecosystem to support charger uptime and cost optimisation across the fleet of electric buses.

Simon Cubitt, Commercial Director (Bus and Coach) for VEV, said:

“Our mission is to make the transition to electrified transport as seamless as possible, delivering specialist chargers that take the pressure off drivers while they’re out on the road, and optimisation services that ensure Stagecoach can be confident they’re running their fleet as efficiently as possible.”

Designed with customer comfort and accessibility in mind, the buses feature smooth, quiet operation, low-floor access, dedicated wheelchair spaces, on-board digital display screens, and USB Type B and Type C charging points at every seat, allowing customers to conveniently charge mobile devices while travelling. The new fleet will play a key role in reducing CO₂ emissions and improving air quality within the local community.

The official launch event took place against the iconic backdrop of Dover Castle last week, attended by representatives from Stagecoach South East, Kent County Council, Dover District Council, Volvo Buses, local parish councillors, and the East Kent Chamber of Commerce.

Joel Mitchell, Managing Director of Stagecoach South East, said:

“This represents a major investment for the people of Dover and for Kent as a whole. These electric buses will provide a smoother, quieter journey for our customers while significantly reducing environmental impact. It’s an important step forward in delivering a more sustainable public transport network for the region.”

Spencer Dixon, Kent County Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said:

“The introduction of these electric buses is an important step in strengthening public transport for the Dover area. This project reflects the strong partnership between Kent County Council, Stagecoach South East and Dover District Council, and demonstrates our shared commitment to providing reliable, modern and high-quality services for residents, businesses and visitors.”

Cllr Gordon Cowan, DDC Cabinet Member for Transport said:

“We are delighted to welcome the launch of Dover Fastrack. We are pleased to have been involved in helping facilitate this project, to have secured the funding, and to have worked with KCC as the Highways Authority and Stagecoach as the service provider.”

Domenico Bondi, Managing Director at Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, says:

“Working with Stagecoach and public sector partners this project has been a real privilege. Seeing the first fully electric buses enter service in East Kent is an important moment for the region, and we’re proud that Volvo Buses can play a part in supporting cleaner air and better journeys for the local community. Strong partnerships like this are essential to delivering sustainable public transport, and we look forward to continuing our work together.”

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