First Charge scheme opens bus depot chargers to the public

Public transport giant First Bus is opening up its depot charging to members of the public for the first time.

Drivers of any EV in Glasgow will be able to use the firm’s Caledonia depot to top up their vehicles as the operator launches its First Charge initiative around the UK.

The 34-bay ‘superhub’ is minutes from the city centre and offers 150kW charging for just 39p per kWh – almost half the average ultra-rapid rate around the UK.

Alongside the Summercourt Hub in Newquay, the Glasgow site is one of the first First Bus depots to open to the general public. However, the First Charge programme is broadening access to 15 charging hubs around the UK, allowing more commercial operators to take advantage of the facilities.

The hubs, which stretch from Aberdeen to Fullwell in Cornwall, feature chargers ranging from 125kW to 360kW and are used to charge First Bus’ fleet of 1,200 electric vehicles overnight. Because they are used less during the day, First Bus has decided to make them available to other businesses to top up their vehicles during regular working hours.

First Bus already shares its depot-based charging facilities with businesses including DPD, Centrica, Openreach, and Police Scotland. Now through the First Charge programme, it is extending this to other commercial operators looking for affordable, accessible rapid charging in urban locations.

As they are designed to accommodate electric buses, the depots offer ideal charging locations for companies using larger electric vehicles, ranging from rigid vans to eHGVs and electric passenger transport.

Isabel McAllister, First Bus UK’ chief sustainability and compliance officer, said: “At First Bus, we’re progressing rapidly towards our goal of a zero-emission fleet by 2035, with an investment of over £320 million 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.”