The electricity distributor has installed 2.5km of new underground cable and upgraded the local substation through an investment of approximately £1.8 million to deliver 3.86MVA of additional power capacity. The equipment will connect 30 charge points that will charge buses overnight.
UK Power Networks has carried out the installation through its Green Recovery programme to convert the depot to electric buses in future, cutting carbon emissions and improving air quality.
The first 30 new electric double-decker buses are now operating from the depot on route 111 between Heathrow Central and Kingston’s Cromwell Road Bus Station.
Adam Lakey, leading the Green Recovery projects for UK Power Networks, said: “This investment in essential new power infrastructure will enable Twickenham Bus Depot’s entire bus fleet to go completely electric in the years ahead, improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions.
“We worked with local communities, Government and Ofgem to identify projects where investment in electricity infrastructure could kick-start a Green Recovery, promote economic recovery and make tangible progress to connect more electric vehicles.”
The new Electroliner buses, built by Wrightbus, have better information screens inside and out and roof lights on the top deck.