VEV Installs Advanced Charging Network at Stagecoach’s Liverpool Gillmoss Depot to Support Electric Bus Expansion
VEV, a specialist in commercial fleet electrification, has finalised the installation of a high-capacity charging system at Stagecoach’s Gillmoss depot in Liverpool. This development facilitates the introduction of over 100 new battery-electric buses to the fleet.
The extensive upgrade includes 54 dual-socket chargers, each rated at 160kW, backed by a substantial 5MVA power connection. The project also involved the construction of three substations and three low-voltage panels, all engineered to meet the substantial power demands of a large-scale zero-emission bus operation.
This infrastructure delivery was part of a collaborative initiative led by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, working alongside Stagecoach, SP Energy Networks, and Liverpool City Council.
Simon Cubitt, Commercial Director, Bus & Coach at VEV, emphasised the comprehensive nature of the project: “Gillmoss is a strong example of the infrastructure-first approach needed to electrify bus networks at scale. Installing chargers is only one part of the job. The grid connection, electrical distribution, charging strategy and depot operations all need to work together reliably to ensure vehicles are ready when they’re needed.” He highlighted the role of VEV’s IQ platform in managing energy use, stating, “A key part of the solution is our VEV IQ platform, which intelligently manages when and how vehicles charge. By shifting demand to lower-cost periods and optimising power use across the depot, VEV IQ helps reduce energy costs while ensuring buses are ready for service each day. As electric fleets scale, intelligent energy management is becoming just as important as the charging hardware itself.”
The deployment of these electric buses aligns with Mayor Steve Rotheram’s strategy to reform bus services in the Liverpool City Region, marking the return of local public control after more than four decades.
Kara Wood, Head of Franchising for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, remarked on the significance of the project: “The electrification of Gillmoss is another important step in delivering a cleaner, more modern and more reliable bus network for passengers across the Liverpool City region. As more zero-emission buses enter service, customers will benefit from quieter journeys, improved air quality and a public transport system that is fit for the future.” She added, “By investing in both vehicles and the infrastructure that supports them, we are laying the foundations for the next generation of bus services as part of our wider ambition to build a fully integrated, sustainable transport network that connects people with opportunity across the city region.”
Gillmoss depot, operated by Stagecoach, serves as a critical hub for bus services in Liverpool and Knowsley and will be the central base for the expanding zero-emission fleet in the Liverpool City Region.
Stagecoach’s Asset Management and Infrastructure Director, Tony Cockcroft, reflected on the transformation: “This project has transformed one of our busiest depots, providing the infrastructure needed to support more than 100 electric buses while maintaining the reliable service our customers depend on every day.” He concluded, “The result is a future-ready depot that not only supports cleaner, greener public transport but also gives us the operational resilience and charging capability needed as the fleet continues to grow.”
