VEV, the e-fleet solutions provider backed by Vitol – a world-leader in the energy sector – announces its new agreement with leading independent Surrey bus operator, Falcon Coaches, to facilitate the electrification of its new bus fleet.
The end-to-end electrification project at Falcon’s West Byfleet depot enables the cost-effective adoption and operation of the new electric bus fleet. The first stage of the transition involves 13 all-new Enviro200EV electric buses from leading UK manufacturer Alexander Dennis, being delivered in 2026.
Following the initial electrification consultancy and power assessment, VEV facilitated an extensive grid upgrade, and will design, procure and build the charging infrastructure. The electric fleet will be connected to VEV-IQ, the proprietary fleet data management platform, to optimise the charging infrastructure and energy usage.
Falcon already operates one of Surrey’s cleanest low-carbon bus fleets, with all 50 buses Euro 6-standard, and 56% of the fleet ultra-low carbon vehicles. The comprehensive electrification scheme further reinforces Falcon’s drive to decarbonisation, forecast to help reduce carbon-emissions output by 10,454 tonnes across the lifetime of the 13 fully electric, zero emission buses.
Surrey County Council is supporting the project as part of its Surrey Climate Change Strategy, a joint framework for collaborative action on climate change across Surrey’s local authorities and partners, targeting net zero by 2050. The council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and committed £32 million to accelerate the introduction of zero emission buses in Surrey.
The Falcon West Byfleet depot is situated in a space- and energy-constrained industrial estate bordering a railway line, and this presented a challenge for the electrification ambitions. VEV conducted the initial electrification assessment using Falcon’s telematics and route patterns and determining the power requirements.
The priority was to secure the additional power capacity, and VEV facilitated a grid upgrade of 1.5 MVA to futureproof the depot’s capacity for up to 35 electric buses. The build will involve a precisely mapped half-mile excavation to deliver the power to the depot as well as installing the charging infrastructure.
The new electric bus fleet connect to the VEV-IQ control platform to optimise efficiency and minimise costs during operation. Once on VEV-IQ, all buses will be charged dynamically respecting any site grid limits or constraints, whilst ensuring the buses are fully charged for the next day’s duty cycle.
Mike Nakrani, CEO of VEV said:
“We’re looking forward to enabling Falcon’s vision for a clean, electric bus fleet to become a reality. Bus electrification represents a huge opportunity in the race to achieve net zero for the UK, local authorities, and our local communities. Bus operators therefore have a significant role to play in switching to electric fleets, and we help them navigate the challenges they can face in making that happen.”
Richard Telling, Managing Director of Falcon Coaches said:
“As a leading independent bus operator, we have a duty to provide our customers and local residents with an efficient, environmentally friendly service that’s fit for purpose today and in the future. We’re delighted to have the expertise of VEV to help us meet the challenges of switching our fleet to electric, and together we’re working to ensure our West Byfleet depot is futureproofed for up to 35 electric buses – both in terms of power-capacity and space on-site. We’re hugely excited to see the project unfold ahead of the service commencing in 2026.”
Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth said:
“I am delighted that we have purchased a further electric 13 buses as part of our £32m investment in providing sustainable travel options for residents and cleaner air for everyone. This means over 60 ultra-low and zero emission buses will be operating across the county, which is great news for Surrey residents.
“We’ve also invested £6.3m in more ultra-low and zero emission community transport minibuses, £9m in bus priority measures to ensure Surrey buses turn up on time, and £1.4m in improving information for passengers at bus stops.
“Our Surrey LINK card gives young people half-price bus travel and we’ve recently expanded our on-demand Surrey Connect bus services to cover areas where there are limited fixed bus routes, giving more options to travel by bus for all residents across Surrey.
“This is a great example of partnership working with investment from both the public and private sectors, and I look forward to seeing the new buses in service in 2026.”
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