Stagecoach has launched the UK’s first fully electric city bus network in Inverness, with 25 brand-new zero emission Yutong E10 buses on city centre routes.

The vehicles can operate from morning to evening on a single daily charge, and feature USB charging points at each seat, interior LED lights and contactless payment facilities.

This £10.8 million investment was supported by the Scottish Government’s Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB), and the company will launch two further fully electric city bus networks in Perth and Dunfermline in the coming months.

Stagecoach uses 100% renewable electricity across the business and charging infrastructure was successfully installed at the Inverness depot ahead of the launch.

The operator is on target for a zero emission UK bus fleet by 2035, and has already introduced new electric buses across many parts of the country, including an investment in e-buses in Manchester.

A further 159 new electric buses will be introduced in 2023, including those in Inverness, bringing the total to 343.

David Beaton, Stagecoach Highlands Managing Director, said: “I am incredibly proud to be able to say that we’re now operating the UKs first fully-electric city bus network here in Inverness.

“It is a challenging time for the industry, and we still have some way to go, but we’re absolutely committed to improving public transport for our customers across the Highlands.”

Ian Downie, Head of Yutong UK, said: “Our tried, tested and proven product will bring a new standard for public transport due to its customer centric features, such as full air conditioning.”