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Pulhams, a Go-Ahead subsidiary operating in the Cotswolds, has put 15 new Wrightbus electric buses into service on public transport routes following an £8.17 million investment. The fleet comprises seven double-decker Electroliners with 442 kWh batteries and eight single-decker GB Kites (four 11.6 m models with 528 kWh batteries, four 10.2 m models with 442 kWh batteries), with £6.63 million spent on vehicles and £1.54 million on charging infrastructure. Funding came from Go-Ahead Group (£4.7 million), the Department of Transport's ZEBRA scheme (£3.21 million) and Gloucestershire County Council (£255,000).

Why it matters: The project demonstrates how combined public and private funding can unlock regional electric bus procurement, with the ZEBRA scheme covering nearly 40 per cent of total costs. The infrastructure spend of £1.54 million for 15 buses offers a benchmark for depot electrification budgets in similar rural and semi-rural operations.

Pulhams has put £8.17 million worth of electric buses into service, according to Bus & Coach Buyer. The deployment represents a significant capital commitment to zero-emission public transport by the operator. No further details on fleet size or charging infrastructure were provided in the available excerpt.

Why it matters: An £8.17m electric bus rollout signals substantial depot charging demand and potential opportunities for charge-point operators serving commercial fleets. The investment scale suggests multi-vehicle infrastructure requirements that could inform similar transit electrification projects.

Wrightbus has confirmed delivery of four 528 kWh GB Kite Electroliners and seven 442 kWh StreetDeck Electroliners to Pulhams Coaches, part of Go-Ahead-owned Oxford Bus Company. Senior management from Oxford Bus Company visited the Ballymena factory to sign off the order, which will enter service across the Pulhams network in Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. The announcement was reported in Coach and Bus Week.

Why it matters: The order signals continued fleet electrification by a major UK bus operator and demonstrates Wrightbus securing repeat business from the Go-Ahead group. The dual battery capacity specifications suggest route optimisation planning, relevant for operators and charging infrastructure planners serving similar regional networks.