- Leading UK bus operator First Bus has opened the first of fifteen bus depots for public EV charging, sharing its existing charging infrastructure for its growing electric bus fleet with the public, essentially transforming them into public EV charging hubs.
- With electric bus charging typically taking place overnight, First Bus has realised a gap where the use of its charging infrastructure can be maximised.
- The first site to join the firm’s new ‘First Charge‘ shared infrastructure initiative is the First Bus Caledonia depot in Glasgow, with charge points for up to 34 fleet and consumer EVs.
First Bus opens its bus depots for public charging
The new shared charging hub opening at First Bus’ existing Glasgow site will be open for public access from 9am to 4:30pm daily, whilst its growing fleet of electric buses are out operating on the road. First Bus has already made agreements to share its bus depot-based charging facilities with a number of businesses, such as DPD, Centrica, and Openreach, but this marks the first of 15 First Bus depots across Scotland and England that the operator is planning to open to the public. This move will help support the transition to EVs not only for its own vehicles, but other fleet operators and the general public.
First Charge has already forged partnerships with a number of roaming EV charging firms, such as Fuuse, Paua, Electroverse, and Allstar, simplifying the charging process further. As an introductory offer, the Glasgow hub will offer an initial reduced charging price of £0.39 per kWh.
First Bus is already a leader in bus electrification in the UK, with a target of a 100% fully-electric bus fleet by 2035, partnered by a rapid expansion of bus charging depots. As it continues to expand its electric fleet and subsequent charging infrastructure, it’s clear to see the potential to expand its First Charge programme further, improving public charger access for the wider EV space.
Isabel McAllister, First Bus UK Chief Sustainability and Compliance Officer, commented:
“At First Bus, we’re progressing rapidly towards our goal of a zero-emission fleet by 2035, with an investment of over £320m to date. With First Charge, we’re building on our position as an industry leader, sharing our infrastructure to accelerate decarbonisation to help other users move faster too.”
Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, added:
“I’m pleased that the First Bus Caledonia Depot is opening its doors to people and communities by providing ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging at affordable pricing.
When the Scottish Government invested over £6.4 million to fund the charging infrastructure at the Caledonia Depot, it was always the intention that First Bus thought innovatively and collaboratively about how it might be used. By providing more public EV charging, we’re now seeing that ambition realised, improving charging opportunities and promoting range confidence for EV drivers.
Through the new First Charge brand, First Bus is now leading the way by sharing their charging infrastructure, adding to Scotland’s comprehensive public EV charging network and continuing to support the transition to a net zero transport system.”
