North Northamptonshire Council powers ahead with electric bus investment
01 September 2025
The council’s Executive looks set to approve the allocation of £1.8 million of funding to introduce eight electric buses on several routes.
If a report is approved, new zero-emission buses will operate on Stagecoach services 17,18 and 19 connecting Hanwood Park, Kettering, Rothwell and Desborough with extensions to Corby and Market Harborough.
The council has been awarded £2.5m of Bus Service Improvement Plan capital funding for 2025/26 by the Department for Transport. It is proposed £1.8m of this amount is spent on the introduction of electric buses on a priority route.
It is proposed that the council fund 75% of the additional cost of the electric vehicles and depot charging infrastructure, using capital funding from the Department for Transport. Stagecoach would then contribute the remaining 25% and the equivalent cost of diesel buses.
As a council, we’re committed to improving our public transport network to benefit residents in North Northamptonshire, which this scheme should do. On a practical level, this route has been chosen due to it being within the range of current battery technology and requires sufficient vehicles to justify the investment.Cllr Chris McGiffen, the council’s Executive Member for Highways and Travel
This report is a prime example of how we intend to move forward with our Carbon Management Plan - we’re not stopping activity, we’re looking at whether the activity is essential and provides cost or clear benefits.Cllr Martin Griffiths, Leader of the Council
In this instance, we’re proposing using funding available to the council from the Department for Transport to switch to an electric fleet on a vital and important bus route.
This also aligns with our Big50 vision which see us rethinking how services are delivered to shape a future that is sustainable and forward-thinking.
If the report is approved, it is anticipated that the new electric buses would be in operation by Autumn 2026.
A separate report on the Executive agenda will consider a proposed revision to the council’s carbon neutral target.
North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive will meet on Tuesday 9 September at 10am at the Corby Cube and the papers are now available online. The meeting will be live streamed on the council’s YouTube channel.