Leicester Working Towards Full Electric Bus Network

By Jony Shekhawat | Published Date : January 05, 2026

City plans to replace diesel buses with electric ones to improve air quality and the daily travel experience.

Leicester is slowly changing how people travel inside the city. The council says electric buses are becoming a bigger part of daily public transport. With more clean buses already running and new ones planned, the city wants to cut pollution and noise on busy roads. The goal is simple – cleaner air, quieter streets and better bus travel for everyone.

Big Money Support From Government and Bus Companies

Table of Contents

1. Big Money Support From Government and Bus Companies

2. Electric Buses Already Running in the City

3. Arriva and Centrebus Will Run the New Buses

4. Linked to Leicester Buses Enhanced Partnership Scheme

5. Carbon-Neutral Bus Station and Government Support

Also Read: Dr Anish Shah Reflects on Past Year and Outlines Mahindra’s Focus for 2026

This electric bus expansion is supported by strong funding. The UK government has given more than £8 million, while bus operators Arriva and Centrebus together added £18 million. Because of this, the total investment in Leicester’s electric bus fleet has now reached nearly £100 million in the last four years.

The council believes this mix of public and private funding is very important. Without support from bus companies, running large electric fleets would be difficult. This partnership model is helping Leicester move faster than many other cities.

Electric Buses Already Running in the City

Right now, Leicester already has 180 electric buses running on different city routes. These buses are being used daily by passengers and have slowly become part of normal city travel.

To take things further, the city has ordered 60 more electric buses. These new 40-seater buses are expected to start service from September 2026. Once these are added, the total number will reach 240 electric buses, covering almost the whole network.

Arriva and Centrebus Will Run the New Buses

The council has not shared details about the exact bus models yet. But it is confirmed that Arriva and Centrebus will operate the new buses. Arriva will run 56 buses, while Centrebus will handle four buses.

This also matches how much money each company invested. Arriva put in around £17 million and Centrebus invested £1 million. Both companies will manage daily operations, maintenance and passenger services.

Linked to Leicester Buses Enhanced Partnership Scheme

The electric bus project is part of the Leicester Buses Enhanced Partnership Scheme. This scheme is not only about electric buses. It also focuses on better bus services for people.

Plans under this scheme include digital ticketing, better bus timing, more reliable services and dedicated bus lanes to reduce delays. The idea is to make buses a first choice for people instead of private cars.

Carbon-Neutral Bus Station and Government Support

Leicester City Council has also completed a £13.5 million upgrade of St Margaret’s bus station. The council says it is the UK’s first carbon-neutral bus station, which fits well with the electric bus plan.

UK Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood said electric buses give smoother, quieter and greener journeys. He said the government is happy to support Leicester’s work. Arriva Midlands’ commercial head Toby France also said the new buses will help reduce congestion and improve air quality for the next generation.

Also Read: SETC Brings Ultra-Luxury Travel to Passengers

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Frequently Asked Questions on Commercial Vehicles

Q1. What are electric buses and how do they work?

Ans. Electric buses run on battery power instead of diesel. They are charged using electric chargers and produce no direct emissions while running on roads.

Q2. How much does an electric bus cost compared to a diesel bus?

Ans. Electric buses usually cost more to buy than diesel buses, but their running and maintenance costs are lower over time.

Q3. How far can an electric bus run on a single charge?

Ans. Most modern electric buses can travel between 150 to 300 kilometres on one full charge, depending on load and driving conditions.

Q4. Are electric buses suitable for daily city routes?

Ans. Yes, electric buses are well-suited for city routes as they run quietly, stop frequently, and help reduce air and noise pollution in urban areas.

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