DEVON is set to benefit from close to 90 new zero-emission buses following Devon County Council being awarded more than £7million by the Government.

The latest Department for Transport investment, which is part of an expansion of existing Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) projects in the South West and South East, has been warmly received by the county council.

The new fleet of zero emission buses will benefit thousands of passengers across Devon, the council says.

They will replace older diesel vehicles, cutting emissions to improve air quality and improve journeys for people travelling for work, education and healthcare.

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said: ‘Our ambition is to encourage more people in Devon to travel by bus and this is a vital investment that can help upgrade our local bus network.

‘Cleaner, greener buses benefit passengers and the environment, and the rollout of new electric buses will play a key part in tackling carbon emissions.

‘Alongside our existing Bus Service Improvement Plan and, working in the future with the Devon & Torbay County Combined Authority and Torbay Council, this new funding from Government will support our ongoing investment to improve bus services and infrastructure in the county’.

The funding announcement builds on previous funding successfully secured from the ZEBRA scheme in 2024 and 2025 to deliver 51 electric buses, as well 14 additional vehicles funded through Devon’s Bus Service Improvement Plan funding.

Peter Knight, Managing Director at Stagecoach South West, said: “We welcome this funding, which represents another important step towards delivering a cleaner and more sustainable bus network for Devon.

‘These new zero-emission buses will help us replace older diesel vehicles with modern electric alternatives, improving air quality while providing customers with quieter, more comfortable journeys.

‘Investment like this is vital to supporting the transition to a greener fleet and encouraging more people to choose the bus for everyday travel across the county’.