UK Power Networks has fast-tracked electricity infrastructure work in the London borough of Sutton to allow 84 new electric buses to charge up.
In a nine-month upgrade project, the company has made an extra 3.8 megawatts of electricity available to Go-Ahead London’s Sutton Bus Garage, including a new high voltage underground cable along a 1.5km route.
These electric buses are expected to start operating out of the Bushey Road garage site by the end of 2023 to run on routes in south west London.
The works are part of a programme from UK Power Networks to deliver £66 million of ‘green recovery’ investment supporting low carbon energy projects to achieve the Government’s Ten Point Plan towards Net Zero by 2050.
A total of 86 schemes are being fast-tracked by the electricity company across a range of sites including EV charging hubs at motorway service stations, fleets of electric buses, community energy schemes and heat pumps.
Adam Lakey, leading the projects for UK Power Networks, said: “Our programme of investment in Green Recovery network upgrades will enable more low carbon technologies to connect to our networks, while improving air quality and supporting green recovery.
“We are delighted to be working with local authorities, community groups and commercial fleet operators to make it as easy as possible for more electric vehicles, electric heating and community energy schemes to connect to the network.”
John Trayner, Go-Ahead London’s managing director said, “As the capital’s most experienced ZE provider, with a fleet of around 400 electric vehicles, we are delivering improved air quality by decarbonising the iconic red bus fleet and I am pleased to add that Sutton will imminently be joined by other Go-Ahead London locations making the change to alternative clean technologies.”
