Eight new electric buses for Reading

Another eight electric buses are coming to Reading to join the fleet of 24 new zero-emission double-deckers arriving this summer.  

Funding of around £1.3m for the extra buses and four charging points was announced by the Department for Transport this week, following a successful joint bid by the council and Reading Buses.

The eight buses will operate on the yellow 26 route which runs between the town centre and Calcot via Southcote, Ford’s Farm and Beansheaf.

Reading Buses already has one of the most environmentally friendly fleets in the country and the arrival of 32 electric buses will support the council’s aims of encouraging public transport use, reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality for the health of Reading residents.

The council and Reading Buses secured £4.7m from the Zero Emissions Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) fund in March last year to purchase 24 electric buses and 12 charging points. The buses are due to start running on the popular purple 17 and claret 21 routes in August.

The charging points are currently being installed in the Reading Buses Great Knollys Street depot.

The eight additional buses are expected to be the same model, the Alexander Dennis double deck Enviro 400 EV. They offer comfortable high back seating, USB charging sockets, social seating areas, full air-conditioning, audio visual next stop announcements and enhanced accessibility. They are due to arrive in summer 2026.

The latest DfT funding of £1,348,680 provides for 75% of infrastructure costs at the bus depot and 75% of the difference in cost of a zero-emission bus compared with a regular diesel bus, with the remainder being funded by Reading Buses.

Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:

“The £1.3 million government funding for more electric buses in Reading is excellent news.

“I am already looking forward to the arrival of the 24 new electric buses on the busy 17 and 21 routes this summer and the new electric fleet on the yellow 26 will also be very welcome.

“The number of people travelling around Reading by bus is on the increase and the introduction of these new double-deckers will provide a smooth, comfortable journey for passengers while having zero impact on air quality.

“Through the government-funded £26m Bus Service Improvement Plan, the Council is working to make travelling around Reading by bus even easier, more reliable, cheaper and more convenient. These new vehicles will make taking the bus even more attractive.”

Robert Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Reading Buses, said:

“We are delighted that we will be able to continue rolling electric buses out on to more routes in 2026.

“Our new electric buses promise to bring significant improvements to the journey experience for our customers, from a smoother ride to full air-conditioning provided by an electric heat pump. This is all whilst emitting zero emissions at the tailpipe.”