National Express partners with ZEOnBe SQE to transform energy procurement strategy

National Express, the bus and coach operator based in the United Kingdom, is overhauling its energy procurement model through a partnership with ZEOnBe SQE. The collaboration will optimise electricity purchasing for the company's expanding electric bus fleet across Britain, supporting operational cost management as the transport provider transitions from diesel to battery-electric vehicles.

Bus-News reported that ZEOnBe SQE will provide energy procurement intelligence and market trading services to National Express, enabling dynamic purchasing strategies aligned with electricity price fluctuations and renewable generation availability. The partnership aims to reduce energy costs whilst supporting the operator's decarbonisation targets.

National Express operates over 1,600 buses across the UK, with plans to significantly expand its zero-emission fleet over the next five years. Electric buses require substantially higher electricity consumption than traditional depot operations, creating new procurement challenges around demand management, charging infrastructure and wholesale market engagement.

The energy procurement overhaul will incorporate flexible purchasing strategies, allowing National Express to capitalise on lower electricity prices during off-peak periods and high renewable generation times. ZEOnBe SQE's platform provides real-time market data and automated trading capabilities to optimise procurement decisions.

The company stated that effective energy procurement will be critical to maintaining competitive operating costs as electric vehicle adoption accelerates across the bus sector. Electricity represents a growing proportion of operational expenditure, requiring sophisticated procurement strategies beyond traditional fixed-rate supply contracts.

National Express joins other major UK bus operators investing in advanced energy procurement capabilities to support fleet electrification programmes. The transport sector faces pressure to decarbonise whilst managing fare affordability and service viability amid rising operational costs.

The partnership positions National Express to leverage energy market dynamics whilst securing reliable electricity supply for charging infrastructure across multiple depot locations.

Discover how National Express is transforming energy procurement to support its electric bus fleet expansion.