Press Releases

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Repower bus at Hoeford depot

Feel the power: Solent from First Bus introduces converted electric buses

Solent from First Bus has introduced four newly converted electric buses into service in Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport

The ‘repowered’ diesel vehicles have been fully refurbished to a near-new standard and converted to electric power, delivering more environmentally friendly travel for passengers.

The news comes one year after the electrification of First Bus’s Hoeford depot in Fareham, and the successful introduction of 62 new electric buses to Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport, in partnership with Portsmouth City Council and Hampshire County Council*.

The repowered buses will run on routes across Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport, including the University routes in Portsmouth.

The transformation of these buses represents a significant step in reducing carbon emissions. By repurposing existing diesel vehicles, First Bus is extending their lifespan while avoiding the environmental impact associated with disposing of old ones.

The innovative conversion process, undertaken by UK bus manufacturer Wrightbus, takes out the diesel engine and fully replaces it to make it electric, in a fraction of the time and the cost of manufacturing an electric bus.

This process significantly reduces carbon emissions, helping to combat climate change and making it a highly sustainable solution for fleet renewal.

The newly converted electric buses bring all the benefits of new electric vehicles, including zero tailpipe emissions. They will contribute to improved air quality, reducing harmful pollutants that can negatively impact respiratory health.

Gary Weaver, First Bus South’s Engineering Director, said: “We are proud to introduce these four converted electric buses to Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport. This initiative not only provides a second life for existing vehicles but also delivers a low-carbon, sustainable transport option that benefits both passengers and the wider community.

“At First Bus, we are committed to leading the way in the transition to greener public transport, and this project is another example of how we are making that happen.”

Cllr Peter Candlish, Portsmouth City Council's Cabinet Member for Transport said:  "The success of electric buses in Portsmouth has already shown how quieter, cleaner, and greener travel benefits our city. Cost-effectively re-powering these buses from diesel to electric is a smart way to bring forward another step in our commitment to deliver affordable, sustainable, and zero-emission transport for everyone."

The introduction of these vehicles is part of First Bus’s wider strategy to transition to a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035. Across the business, it is initially introducing 32 repowers across four regions of the UK.

Francis Bourgeois x First Bus 4

Wales revealed as the knitting capital of the UK

  • One in five Welsh residents list knitting as their hobby – the highest percentage of any other major UK city or region.
  • A quarter of residents say they have a hobby they want to keep secret, with 26% worried people would find it unattractive
  • New data revealed as professional trainspotter Francis Bourgeois celebrates First Bus’ 30th birthday by adding ‘bus enthusiast’ to his CV
Francis Bourgeois x First Bus 7

Bristol revealed as the green fingered capital of the UK

  • 32% of Bristol residents reveal gardening as their hobby – the highest percentage of any other major UK city
  • 23% of residents say they have a hobby they want to keep secret, with a third worried people would think they are weird
  • New data revealed as professional trainspotter Francis Bourgeois celebrates First Bus’ 30th birthday by adding ‘bus enthusiast’ to his CV
Francis Bourgeois x First Bus 6

First Bus hails 30th birthday alongside public transport enthusiast Francis Bourgeois

  • First Bus celebrates 30th birthday with professional trainspotter and content creator Francis Bourgeois as he reveals love for the bus
  • Francis kicked off the celebrations at the birthplace of First Bus in Aberdeen, where he demonstrated his love of public transport, learned to drive an electric bus, and explored a selection of heritage buses
  • As the company reflects on three decades of growth and putting its people first, First Bus looks ahead to becoming a more equitable, accessible, and sustainable business
Francis Bourgeois x First Bus 1

Francis Bourgeois joins 3.3 million Brits in their love of bus spotting

  • Professional trainspotter and content creator Francis Bourgeois is celebrating the 30th birthday of First Bus by adding ‘bus enthusiast’ to his CV  
  • As Francis reveals his love of bus spotting to his millions of followers, data from First Bus reveals social media creators like him have made so-called ‘niche’ hobbies like bus spotting more mainstream 
Electric bus in Castle Green, Taunton

Charged up and ready to roll: Somerset welcomes electric buses

  • The first of Somerset’s new electric buses are now in service
  • £14.7m project with First Bus in Somerset and Somerset Council
  • By the summer all 25 electric buses will be in service
David Adam, Operations Manager at First Aberdeen with students from Robert Gordon University (1)

Aberdeen Students Get on Board with Sustainability as First Bus Introduces New Electric Fleet

  • The new fleet forms part of a £12.7million investment into Aberdeen, with 24 new electric buses and 12 repower buses
  • The investment cements First Bus’s commitment to sustainability with a goal to achieve a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035
20250320 - FIrst Electric Weston -  @JonCraig Photos  123

First Bus invests further £70m in zero-emission bus operations expanding electric fleet in West of England

  • £70 million investment in additional 160 zero-emission buses 
  • Partnered with West of England Mayoral Combined Authority to secure an additional £20million of            Government co-funding  
  • The new zero-emission fleet will run through air quality hot spots in Bristol, as well as operating in Bath. 
  • Half of the First Bus West of England fleet will be zero-emission vehicles.