Investment Secured For 23 More Electric Buses On The Isle Of Wight

More than 20 new electric buses are set to join the Island’s transport network following a multi-million pound investment.

Southern Vectis, working with Isle of Wight Council, has secured £3.67 million in funding from the Department for Transport to introduce 23 new zero-emission double-decker buses.

The funding forms part of a wider £14.6 million regional package supporting electric bus projects across England through the government’s ZEBRA Scheme.

It builds on a previous project which delivered 31 electric buses to the Isle of Wight, alongside the installation of charging infrastructure at the Southern Vectis depot.

With a further £8.1 million investment from Southern Vectis, the latest expansion will bring the total number of electric buses on the Island to 54, meaning most of the main network fleet will be zero-emission.

Routes and services

The new vehicles are expected to operate on routes 2, 3 and 38, while the order also includes three open-top electric double-deckers for the popular Needles Breezer route.

Managing Director of Southern Vectis, Ed Wills, described the move as a major milestone.

He said:

“This is a significant moment for transport on the Isle of Wight, turning almost our entire main network buses into a zero-emissions fleet.

“The new investment will further drive our mission to put this ‘electric island’ right at the forefront of sustainable transport.

“These new buses will help to improve air quality across the Island, while also giving passengers modern, high-quality buses for their journeys.”

Government and local reaction

Richard Quigley, MP for Isle of Wight West, welcomed the funding and said it showed the government had listened to concerns about transport and connectivity on the Island.

He said the new buses would reduce pollution and improve reliability for residents, students, workers and visitors travelling across the Island.

Meanwhile, Stewart Chandler said the project would help deliver the ambitions of the council’s long-term transport strategy.

He said once drivers have been trained on the new vehicles, residents will benefit from quieter, cleaner and more reliable journeys when travelling to work or visiting town centres.

UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said buses are “the backbone of our public transport system”, adding the funding would help replace older diesel vehicles with cleaner electric alternatives.

The investment also supports the Government’s wider push for greener public transport under the Bus Services Act 2025.

The new buses are expected to be rolled out on the Island by 2027.